As 2021 comes to an end, I have been reading articles both looking back at 2021 and forward to 2022. The writers of the articles have had a similar opinion, we entered 2021 with hope but we are entering 2022 with despair, and these were written by Christian writers.

It has been a long two years with many ups and downs and yes, 2021 seems to be ending on a down turn. Covid is surging, our economy is struggling, hate and evil seem to be growing and our entire world seems to be spinning out of control. If we just look at the news we will all be in despair.

I want to challenge all of you to live in hope. In the Hope of Jesus Christ! Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33)

Over the millennia, Christians have always thrived in times of tribulation. We can thrive now, because our hope is not temporary but eternal, it is personal, not abstract; our hope is in Christ and Christ alone. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7)

5 Reasons for Hope in 2022

  1. God is always with us.

“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5b)

  1. God cannot lie.

“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” Titus 1:2

  1. God cares for you.

“Casting all your care upon Him: for He careth for you.” I Peter 5:7

  1. God is at work in our world.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19,20)

  1. God still wants us to work in this world.

“Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 15:58)

 

jtovissi@cantonbaptist.org