Hope for today

2nd Corinthians 1:3-6

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any [a]trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our [b]consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

Quickword: Hope for today

When I was a child, I remember my maternal Grandfather, Deacon John Ross praying. I can recall him praying God I thank you for the good days as well as the bad days. As a child, I didn’t understand the gratitude for the bad days. Now that I’m older, a grandfather myself, I understand the sentiment of those prayers from my Childhood. There are lessons for life and purpose found in those bad days:

- Thank God for being the Father of Mercy and Comfort

- Thank God for the hard days; it is through the comfort and mercy received from Him that we learn to comfort others.

- Thank God for we able to overcome the sufferings we faced in this world through our faith in the one who has overcome the world.

My brothers and sisters, when I view the current state of the world through my human or fleshy view, the world because a place of great concern. Yet, when I view the world through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, I’m hopeful. I’m hopeful because I know that He has overcome the world. It is our faith in a risen Savior that we can take comfort, even in the midst of trials and tribulations. We take comfort in knowing the one in whom we believe in gives us hope to face everyday challenges.

Let’s Pray: Eternal God our Father, we come before you this morning acknowledging that you are the sovereign God. Father we thank you now for the blessing that you continue to favor us with in our lives. Yet this morning, I thank you not only for the good days but I thank you for those difficult times that your grace and mercy are even more evident. God, I asked today that you be with us as we face the vicissitudes of life. God in these moments, remind us of who You are and whose we are. It is during these times that we find hope for today. Hope in a God who loved us so much that He gave His son for us. God thank you for the hope to press our way no matter our situations or circumstances. God, show yourself mighty, show yourself strong, even today in the name of Jesus. Amen