We live at a very sad time in the history of our world. Many people desperately struggle to find hope for their future. People in Ukraine face constant missile and drone attacks from the Russian forces which destroy their communities taking many lives and causing life changing injuries. During 2024 it is estimated that 900 Russian soldiers have died every day leaving many grieving families. Israeli people lost relatives in the 7 October Hamas attack. In the ensuing conflict many Palestinian lives have been lost in Gaza and homes and communities have been destroyed. In Sudan more than 9 million people have been displaced, half of whom are children, and whole communities of people, mainly of African heritage, have been destroyed.
Where is hope to be found? The Bible tells us that God is the one to whom we must look to find real hope. The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to Christians living in Rome. They were experiencing persecution because they were Christians and were not willing to worship the Roman Emperor. They faced a very uncertain future; within a few years many of them would die a cruel death at the hands of the Roman Emperor Nero. Paul encouraged them when he wrote, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Recently I visited a good friend of mine who was dying of cancer. He was very ill, and I had just a few precious minutes with him and his wife, who was caring for him. I read the words of Jesus in Chapter 14 of John’s Gospel where he said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
After I had prayed my friend began singing the hymn, “The Lord’s my shepherd”, based on Psalm 23. We all sang the hymn together; “Yea, though I walk thro’ death’s dark vale, yet will I fear no ill; for Thou art with me, and thy rod and staff me comfort still. Goodness and mercy all my life shall surely follow me: and in God’s house forevermore my dwelling place shall be.” A few days later my friend died and entered the presence of Jesus in heaven.