Why Israel? I think that is the question of the day! Why is it that the nation of Israel and the Jewish people have been the objects of so much hatred throughout the course of human history? For those that believed the world was gradually becoming more civilized and peaceful as we progressed in our humanity, they have had a serious blow to that hope in recent weeks. Where do we find hope in all this turmoil?

The simple answer to the question “Why Israel?” is because they are a people and nation that God has used and will use again in the future to bring His blessings to mankind. The hatred of Israel is ultimately satanic in nature and is a direct challenge to the sovereign plan of God. This Sunday I will provide a short history of Israel that will help us understand what is happening in the world today. The more we understand what God’s Word says and see His sovereign hand over the events of history we will find HOPE in a World of Turmoil. Join me this Sunday as I wrap up our series on Hope with this timely message that will shed a biblical light on current world events. 

Over the years Sue and I have known a handful of people that lived to be 100 years old. What an amazing milestone: a complete century of life. Each time we have been able to celebrate such a life we have reflected on all the changes that person must have seen in 100 years of living.  The reality is our world is in a constant state of change, and you don’t have to be 100 years old to experience it. Think of the changes over the last 4 years because of COVID-19. In the last 2 years our world has changed because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the last few months our world has changed because of Chat Gpt and the advancements of Artificial Intelligence. In the last two weeks our world has changed yet again because of the terrorist attacks against Israel and the resulting war. And just this morning, when Sue and I walked our dog Abby on the beach we noticed how the shore line of the beach had changed since yesterday. 

Change is even something that society tries to impose on the personhood of God and His word. It is suggested that God, the Bible and the Church should all be viewed through a progressive lens to stay relative with all the changes in society. I would respectfully submit to you that no one would really want a God that is progressively morphing to reflect the changes in society. That would be a case of “The tail wagging the dog.” An essential aspect of Theology Proper (the study of God) is that He does not and cannot change. The moment God changes he would cease to be God because it would mean that some aspect of His being was less than perfect and required a change. Hebrews 6 points out to us that God is unchanging in both His promises to us and the oath by which He keeps His Word. It is in that unchanging nature of God that we find hope. It is God who promised us the forgiveness of our sins in Christ Jesus and an eternal home in heaven with Him. Hebrews 6 tells us this is an anchor for the soul. What an anchor does for a boat that is in changing waters, the hope we have because of God’s constancy does the same for our souls: it keeps us from making a shipwreck in life. 

Join us this Sunday as we look at this amazing passage that describes for us a hope that is an anchor for the soul.

When the concept of hope is used in mainstream society it is usually the expressed desire for a better future. We hope for better health, more money and relationships that will build our self esteem. But the way we use the word hope has no real evidence or support that the desired outcome will actually happen. It’s really more a “hope so.” Scripture uses the word hope differently.
In Romans 5 the Apostle Paul uses the word Hope to describe the better future for the follower of Christ; Christian Hope. It’s a hope founded on the redeeming work of Christ that culminates in spending eternity in heaven with him. And Christian Hope is not just a hope so, it is a hope that we have every assurance that a better future is really waiting for us. How can we be so confident in that hope? The evidence and support for this assurance is unconventional but isn’t most everything about the spiritual life. Join me this Sunday and see how you can have more than a “hope so” by having Christian Hope.

Mental health is a major issue in our society. I could reference multiple sources that would substantiate the large number of people dealing with depression and other kinds of mental health issues. If we don’t know anyone closely dealing with a mental health issue it is commonly referenced in the media in an attempt to explain the behavior of people. You have heard me reference the Surgeon General’s report on the effects of isolation and loneliness in America. In that report, depression and mental health issues are listed as some of the major outcomes of isolation. Our society is struggling with how to deal with our emotions in a healthy way. People need to be in community with the people in their communities. 

Our theme for October is “Hope Happens Here” as a signal to call people back to church and ultimately back to God as the place where Hope is found. Hope that will alleviate the pressures resulting in depression. In Psalm 42 (our text for Sunday) we read the phrase “Deep calls to deep . . .” At times, the trials that lead to emotional distress seem to be like a tidal wave that is more than we can handle. Psalm 42 tells us that it is in those moments when we are feeling overwhelmed, that if we seek God we will hear Him and see Him in a deeper way. Only God can speak deeply to the deep issues of our life. 

Three times in Psalm 42-43 we will see the phrase “put your hope in God.” God calls us to put our hope in Him while the devil would have us put our hope in anything other than God. The result of not placing our hope in God is the effects of isolation only grow greater. Join me this Sunday as we look to God’s word for help with depression and answers to mental health issues.