Tag Archives peace

I’m not talking about the kind of “hope” people normally mean when they say, “I hope it won’t rain today,” or “I hope I can find the perfect {job/wife/husband/car} (insert want/need/desire here).” That isn’t really hope at all! Those statements are already laced with doubt and in some cases cynicism that the thing “hoped” for won’t really happen at all.

The hope I am speaking of is not some wishy-washy soap bubble, ready to pop at the slightest disturbance. It is a strong assurance—the absolute expectation of coming good. In the original greek used elpiß or “elpis” means “a strong, joyful and confident expectation.” It is such a sure thing you could stake your life on it!

And indeed we have! For we have fled the sinking ship of the failed promises of this world to take hold of the firm hope of salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross once and for all.

Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. —Hebrews 6:17-18

Let me be clear. We should replace the word “hope” in that sentence with our established definition from above. We need to take hold of the firm assurance, the absolute expectation, of our salvation in Him.

He is our rock, our secure foothold and foundation; the anchor for our souls that keeps us from being tossed by the waves of life’s stormy seas. Let the winds and waves do their worst we are anchored by a hidden line below the turbulent waters to the solid Rock of Christ!

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. —Hebrews 6:19-20

He is our unshakeable Bedrock who holds us steadfast and provides us a calm perseverance, a peace if you will, in the midst of the wild tumult. But do not lose heart and pull up the anchor too soon, lest you be swept away by the surging sea.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Ride out the storm, secured by your anchor in the unshifting Rock of our Savior. For His promises are true! When He said, “I will never leave or forsake you,” He meant it!

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” —Deuteronomy 31:8

He can speak to the storms and the waves must obey when He says, “Peace. Be still.” Since He is the Creator of the very fabric of the universe, even the concept of the atom and the molecule, the elements have no choice but to obey Him! Why do we so quickly lose our faith in the sign of strong winds and when the waves are crashing down around us? It is then that we should all the more cling to Jesus as our source of strength, and look to Him to bring peace in the midst of the stormy seas of life.

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
—Mark 4:39-41

Any storm or trial you are going through He has already experienced, so He can fully sympathize and come alongside us in those moments. There is no longer a veil between us, but we are able to come boldly before the throne of grace to seek mercy and find help in our time of need!

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. —Hebrews 4:14-16

So be still, and have hope!

Scriptures to look up:

• Hebrews 4:14-16, 6:17-20
• Psalm 18:2-6, 16-19, 29-33, 35, 36
• Mark 4:39-41
• Psalm 94:18, 19, 22
• Isaiah 26:3, 4