Good evening, “There’s always hope!” We’ve all heard it. We’ve all said it. But is it true? It depends. You may have great hopes of making it to work or a doctor appointment on time. But if you leave the house 15 minutes later than Google maps tells you, and you hit all red lights along the way, it’s hopeless. You won’t make it on time. There are situations and circumstances, little and major, which are beyond human ability to “fix,” and so are truly hopeless. It’s a frightening thought. But David writes, “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you” (Ps. 39:7). The Apostle Paul adds, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Rom. 8:31-32). With Jesus there is always hope no matter what. The disciples were helpless in the face of a ferocious storm on the Sea of Galilee. But it wasn’t hopeless because Jesus was there to calm the wind and waves with a word. There was no medication to cure leprosy or blindness, but it wasn’t a hopeless condition, because all Jesus had to do was say, “Be clean! See!” The hopeless despair of death was transformed into the greatest joy when Jesus stood at a grave and called, “Lazarus, come out!” (Jn. 11:43). It’s a hopeless cause for sinners to make themselves clean before God. “Who can bring what is pure from the impure? No one!” (Job 14:4). But by his own perfect life and sacrifice on the cross, Jesus did it for us. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Is. 1:18). Feeling hopeless today because of trouble at work, an illness that won’t go away, friction with family members, sadness, or loneliness? There is always hope. It’s not just an empty platitude, but a promise from God himself. “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Ps. 42:5). Yours in Christ, Pastor Partly sunny and warm is the forecast for tomorrow (Sat.)—great weather for the work day the Bd. of Property has planned beginning at 9 a.m. There is plenty to do, including various repairs on the church building and playground equipment. Also, no one has signed up for mowing this weekend. Keeping the Lord’s house and property in good shape is a way to show our love for his Word. Your help is appreciated. Our Sunday service is at 9 a.m. Following the service, our two delegates to the CLC Convention will briefly report on Convention business and actions.
