From Worry to Hope

Glacier National Park Montana

We are living in an incredibly uncertain if not unprecedented time as the fragility of our existence is in full display. Our whole society built on the monuments of men is at the mercy of a contagion we cannot even see. The comforts we cling too have been disrupted leading to unsettledness if not full blown fear. 

The fact is that the security in the things we so easily place our hope, joy and comfort never existed in the first place. Times like this remind us of what really don't want to admit. The world is a fragile place occupied a faulty people and that includes all of us. The realization and reminder of this fact is not a bad thing. As a Christian our affections are not to be placed here. And scripture is clear that trouble and suffering will come in part to release our grasp on the temporal. 

When faced with such doubt and disruption the things that really matter become more clear. Also it is more more apparent by the day is that as a believer I am "sojourner or pilgrim" I Peter 1:1 passing through this increasingly foreign land. We are not to settle here but to look forward to our eternal hope to which as believers have been called. 

We all are facing different challenges our current crisis which is only complicated by other troubles in our lives. For me in part it is learning to live alone (and literally alone) resting in the presence of Christ. While not a new process it has intensified.  While certainly not unique to me it seems the past six months has been dealing with one intense situation after another amidst continually evolving plans, expectations, and realities. I trust God is is in this but honestly it's not easy as I feel like I am tumbling in a clothes dryer and I am the only piece of clothing. However I rest in truth that "...in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." God is involved in the biggest and most minute details that cause all things (no qualifiers) for our good (not necessarily pleasant) for His glory. 

I was reviewing my study notes on the book of Habakkuk which is a great minor prophet book to read in these times. If interested you can view here. Habakkuk asked some tough and familiar questions in the face of calamity and did not get the answer from God he wanted. After pleading the answer from God comes- Hab 1:5-9 5 "Look at the nations and watch- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” But it ultimately wasn't the answer that Habakkuk expected because God's response was one of judgement that would mean the country would be invaded and taken captive. But ultimately he comes the realization that we all do - we are not God. Despite the despairing news Habakkuk then turns his fear to trust and ultimately from worry to worship. 

The sequence is much like that of Psalm 73. There the psalmist struggled with the problems of the day but declares Psalm 73:16–17 “When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny”.

Perhaps the most difficult thing to do in times of trial, trouble and grief is turn to God and sincerely worship Him. Worship is acknowledging God as the Supreme Being above all other people, possessions, priorities or problems. It is to praise Him for His character, attributes and essence and acknowledge that He is greater than any trial.   

Hababkkuk does just that even though he acknowledges the dire circumstance. In the face of the tragedies that were to ensue, Habakkuk states - Hab 3:16-18 "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior."

This was not a matter of fatalism, escapism, or resignation, it was state of rejoicing. As a Christian we put our hope and trust in a sovereign God who's plans with all things are beyond our understanding.

It's been said that “Our joy is in proportion to our trust; Our trust in proportion of our knowledge of God.” So, while it is easy to only watch and become obsessed with the events around us, we cannot let that crowd out time to contemplate God, to seek Him, to intimately know and worship  Him.

Our circumstances confirm that our frail bodies and this place is all temporary. Without a realization of our heavenly home and the steadfast belief in our future with Christ, we will have a heart full of conflict, a purpose that is unsure and a hope that is blurred. 

John Calvin said that “Whatever sort of tribulation we suffer, we should always remember that it's purpose is to make us spurn the present and reach for the future”. 

Troubles and doubt test our motives, assesses our priorities, reveals our true convictions and hope. It confirms if our true alliance and affections of our hearts. So how do we come to this place?   The truths found in Habakkuk 2:1-4 provide the framework.   

We first stand firm, ready and expectant of God's purpose and intervention.  In Hab. 2:1 Habakkuk’s stood securely within God's sovereignty and perfect plan - Hab 2:1-3 "I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint." 

Second, we are to live by faith - 2. Hab. 2:4 "...but the righteous will live by his faith."  A faith in the reality of Christ and the hope to come. 

To face whatever is ahead we must be have a faith that rest in God's sovereignty and a hope that is fixed on Christ and our eternal home.  Through uncertainty and even suffering our hope is tested and proven deep, and our hearts purified of all remnants of self reliance and entanglement with the world.  

As we walk through the uncertain days ahead we are to the take the attitude that the Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:1-5:10 - “...Therefore we do not lose heart,but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

I always say that every challenge presents an opportunity.  What opportunities do you see ahead?

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If you have thoughts and perspective on facing this perilous time, I would be interested. Just leave a comment below or comment on Facebook.