Where Is Hope?

     The daughter-in-law of a friend of ours died unexpectedly on Christmas Eve. The heartbreak of it all is overwhelming and impossible to understand. This devastation leaves us with unanswered questions.

     Our friend asked, “Where is God?”  The surface look at our world leaves us speechless. How can a loving God allow all of this madness, terror, loss and violence?  We, as believers, certainly do not have all of the answers to the unanswerable.

     But, we do trust the Almighty above it all. Free choice led to the fall of mankind. The fallen world not only leaves us in a place of darkness without God, but the very earth has fallen along with us and awaits the return to a perfect heaven and earth. The choice is ours. Darkness or light (John 3:19) Cursing or blessing. Life or death. (Deuteronomy 30)

     Jesus brings light and hope and peace and joy in the midst of darkness. He redeems. He transforms. He lifts us out of the chaos and the unanswerable and gives us Himself. I pray for His comfort for this family and for all of those in deep hurt and grief in this new year. My prayer is for Jesus to be made known. Our loving Lord, our Savior.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Father,

Shine Your light on the darkness around us. Shine Your love, through Your Son, on our friends. Please comfort and save them from this grief. We leave the answers to You.

In Jesus name,

Amen