The Promise of Hope

By Willa Johnson

Without hope, what is there? Each day it becomes harder to have hope in the future. Every day there is some story about a tragedy or a catastrophe such as the recent wildfires in Southern California. The news was especially heartbreaking when we learned that arson was involved in at least two of the fires. What causes a person’s psyche to even think in such a way?

The news about the prevalence of a ‘candy’ drug for young children was unbelievable. In Dallas, Texas a scheme was uncovered to trick youngsters into trying the new ‘candy’ and discovered that for some it only took one trial to cause a death. Those behind the idea were garnering thousands of dollars because their product was so cheap.

A school board in Maine voted to give birth control pills to middle school aged children without the parents’ knowledge. The original story stated the vote was 5-2 but that was wrong. It was 7-2. It also stated condoms were first offered in 2002. Actually, it was 2000. With a state law that says it is illegal to have sex for anyone under 14, what is wrong with this school board? Some parents were outraged but, to my amazement, some were not. Now we know that this is not the first school in the country to offer this “protection” to under-aged children.

Back in the dark ages when I was in high school, we were shown films about syphilis and gonorrhea to remind us of the dangers of sexual activity. That worked for most of the students. And, yes, abstinence was encouraged. Not so today. Such teaching isn’t allowed. “It’s not realistic,” opponents say.

A TV documentary entitled, Facing Reality: Choices, followed three young women who were pregnant. Two of the women were never married, but had no trouble conceiving. One decided to abort her baby because her boyfriend was not willing to help her. This was her second abortion in a year. Another woman who was addicted to drugs was carrying her seventh child. She finally decided to get clean and keep this baby as she had lost custody of the others. She miscarried. The third woman was married and desperately wanted children. She had one son and was pregnant with a little girl. When told her baby would probably die soon after birth because of a defect, she and her husband decided to go ahead with the pregnancy to at least “give the baby a chance.” The baby died just before birth.

We can’t help but ask, “Why? Why do bad things happen to good people?”

Years ago, politicians were regarded with utmost respect. After all, they are our leaders. We want, and expect, them to operate with honesty. But, that was years ago. It appears today that no new scandal even fazes us. We are no longer shocked to read about another unfortunate figure caught red-handed. Where is the shame?

Lying used to be frowned upon. Nowadays, the person who is the best liar is the one who is believed and held up as an example for all to emulate. If someone tries to get the truth out, guess who is persecuted?

Is it possible to have hope in anything or anybody anymore?

Yes, it is, even in this life.

Years ago after Xenia, Ohio was wiped out by a tornado, it was rebuilt and is better than ever. Sometimes good does come out of bad. If it doesn’t, we need to turn to the greatest book on earth, the Bible, to restore our hope. In it we learn that this world is not our final home, that we are pilgrims passing through to a better place.

Poor Job bemoaned, “My days are spent without hope” but God restored everything to him twofold except for the number of children. The psalmist stated, “My hope is in thee.” Psalm 39:7 The preacher in Ecclesiastes declared: “For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope.” Ecclesiastes 9:4 Jeremiah, referred to as the “weeping prophet,” assured us that: “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” Jeremiah 17:7 Later, he tells the Israelites: “There is hope in thine end.” Paul told the Romans, “We are saved by hope.” Romans 8:24

A verse quoted often at funerals comes from I Corinthians wherein Paul wrote: “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” I Corinthians 15:19 In other words, our hope is not in this life. There are better things waiting for us who have hope in Christ.

The writer of Hebrews refers to hope as “an anchor to our soul.” Hebrews 6:19 And, finally, Peter told us what our response should be when asked about our hope. “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” I Peter 3:15

It is easy to become disheartened when we read and see the events taking place daily. Christ came to take away our sins and to restore us to God. Take heart, my friend, because the dessert is yet to come.

Willa Johnson writes from Phoenix, Oregon. wjhat@ccountry.com