(Hope In His Word is to be embraced)

 

“…through perseverance and

the encouragement of the

Scriptures we might have hope”

(Romans 15:4).

 

“…faith comes from hearing

the message, and the message

is heard through the word of

Christ” (Romans 10:17).

 

I. INTRODUCTION

The Psalmist declared, “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my

hope in your word” (Psalm 119:114).

 

In the midst of life’s challenges and uncertainties, hope can be found

in Scripture! Many of us have found this to be true. When we’re going

through discouragement, or rejection, grief, anxiety or loss, God’s Word

has an amazing ability to encourage our hearts and prompt hope. It’s

almost as if scriptures come alive while we’re reading or meditating on

God’s Word.

 

The Greek word referenced in the expression, “word of Christ,” is

rhēma. The term denotes “that which is spoken, what is uttered in

speech or writing.” The significance of rhēma (as distinct from logos) is

exemplified in the injunction to take “the sword of the Spirit, which is the

word of God” (Ephesians. 6:17). Here the reference is not to the whole

Bible, but to the individual scripture which the Spirit brings to our

remembrance for use in time of need; a prerequisite being the regular

renewing of the mind with Scripture.

 

II. WALK IN THE LIGHT OF GOD’S WORD

We might envision a life of faith as one where we walk to the edge of

a lighted path, where the next steps are surrounded by darkness. Yet

as we take those next steps, we can be reassured and even hope-filled

because of the certainty of God’s Word. It’s as if the “Word of Christ”

provides a solid ground upon which to walk in faith.

 

When we’re busy living life, it may seem as if we’re running out of light.

Whether we’re facing stressors of our own making or the unexplainable

pain of life in a fallen world, there are times when we may feel

uncertain about our next steps. How do we find the faith to step out?

When we look around and all we can see is darkness, how do we know

which way to turn?

 

A. Lessons from the Emmaus Road

Hope fades . . . when we miss out on embracing His Word.

“and He (Jesus) said to them , O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken” (Luke 24:25)!

 

Notice the indictment of being “slow of heart.” This phrase does not

mean slow of mental assent, but slow of faith embrace. In the case

of the Emmaus disciples, they sought a Deliverer and a Messiah, but

missed the Suffering One. They missed seeing Jesus because they

missed the opportunity to faithfully embrace His Word.

 

“Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter

into His glory” (Luke 24:26)?

Many of us can recall a challenging time in our life when Scripture

came alive through the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, and this truth

empowered our faith. Embracing Scripture, when all else has failed,

can empower our faith and replenish our hope.

 

B. Lessons from the Patriarch

How does the Lord inspire hope through His Word? Let’s remember just

a few of the times when God’s Word has been a hope for God’s people.

We can remember Abraham, the patriarch of faith. He had grown

weary in his old age and doubted his ability to bear a son. But

Abraham was visited by the Lord who renewed his hope through

the promise of His Word.

 

“I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will

come from you” (Genesis 17:6).

 

“By faith Abraham…went out,

not knowing where he was

going. By faith he lived as an

alien in the land of promise”

(Hebrews 11:8–9).

Abraham continued his faith journey holding onto the promises in

God’s Word. “By faith Abraham…offered up Isaac, and he who had

received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to

whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your descendants shall be called.’ He

considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead”

(Hebrews 11:17–19).

 

C. Lessons from the Apostle

The Apostle Paul was in the midst of his shipwrecked journey across

violent seas when the Bible says: “All hope was abandoned.” But Paul

heard these words:

“Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has

graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you” (Acts 27:24).

Hope was restored for Abraham. Hope was restored for Paul through

the Word of God!

 

Whether we are growing weary like Abraham or find ourselves

overcome by endless storms like Paul, there is encouragement

through His Word. Hope is available, and it is ours for the asking

when we allow God’s Spirit to lead us into His Word!

 

Colossians 3:16

“Let the Word of Christ dwell

deeply in you.”

 

“He saw them straining at the

oars because the winds were

against them” (Mark 6:48).

 

D. Lessons from the Storms on the Sea of Galilee

You may be in one of those unexplainable life events now. You might

be weary of straining to make progress, financially or relationally,

physically or spiritually. You might be experiencing the tormenting

waves of unhealed relationships or unpaid bills. You might be dealing

with troubling health reports or recent painful losses. Like the

disciples, you may feel like you are “straining at the oars,” making no

progress, uncertain of where to turn, or feeling like you are in the dark.

There is a place to turn and find hope, to find light in the darkness.

It is God’s Word that sustains. Hope is in His Word—He awaits our invitation:

“Sustain me according to your

promise, and I will live; I have

put my hope in your word”

(Psalm 119:116).

“And Peter answered Him and said, ‘Lord if it is you, command me to

come to you on the water.’ So He said, ‘come.’ And when Peter had

come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus”

(Matthew 14:28–29).

With only one word from God, Peter found renewed hope and fresh

direction. Christ literally spoke one word, and Peter was able to take

a step of faith.

 

III. HIS WORD FOR YOU

What word from God do you most need to hear? What word from God

would sustain you?

Peter discovered that the storms of life are at war for our attention.

They distract us, overwhelm us, and cause us to doubt. Yet, no matter

how threatening our life challenges may be, they do not render God’s

Word invalid.

When storms distract us, overwhelm us, or cause us to doubt, how can

we refocus our attention? How can we stand on the hope of His Word?

As we continue to embrace God’s Word in spite of life’s distractions,

the promise of His presence becomes even more real. Our hope is

strengthened as we sense He is near. The promise of Scripture and

the presence of Jesus combine to both entice and empower us into a

prevailing hope.

 

Christ not only prays for you, He wants you to hear His Word. Jesus

has promises to share with you. Just as He spoke to Peter, He wants to

speak to you.

We may not need faith for “water-walking” today, but His Word is

available for the challenges we might be facing. Listen as Scripture

gives us hope.

​

PDD