5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. 6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I shall not be shaken. – Psalm 62:5-6
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
With the recent advancement in Covid-19 vaccines, there is great hope in the air. The development and distribution of the vaccines has meant there now seems to be light at the end of a long tunnel. The hope that these vaccines have given is something we should celebrate and give thanks to God for. As Christians we are to be a hopeful people. The hope we possess, however, is not like the world’s hope. The hope the world has is fleeting. It’s often placed in things that are insecure and uncertain. Beauty fades, power wanes, money runs out, houses fall apart, our health deteriorates and sadly relationships do not last. The hope the world has and tends to offer people is hope that is unable to hold up in the long term. As Christians, though, the hope we possess is a hope that is eternal, secure and certain. In Psalm 62, David is under attack. Those closest to him are seeking to topple him. In the midst of his troubles, he looks to God for hope. He knows that God is his rock, salvation and fortress. He is a place of stability, security and refuge. He is the only source of true hope in times of trouble. He is the one who is utterly steadfast, strong and true.
The truth that David expresses here is also true for us today. As those who live this side of Jesus’ death and resurrection, our hope in Jesus is in one that is indestructible. Jesus died and defeated death and because of this the hope he offers us is hope that is eternal, strong and true. It’s not a hope that fades, or wanes, or runs out, or falls apart or deteriorates over time. It’s not a hope that collapses when life gets hard. But it’s a hope that is able to stand up under the most extreme pressures in life. So as we celebrate and give thanks for the vaccines and the hope they give us, let’s not forget where real hope lies. Real hope is found in the one person who can get us through life and death: Jesus.
May we hold onto this hope and seek to share this rock solid hope with a world in need of real hope.
Yours in Christ
Mark