Janita Goldman
1 Timothy 4:10
10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.
To really understand this passage fully, I believe you must read 1 Timothy 4:1-10. When you read it, you see that Paul is giving Timothy instructions on how to fight the Lord’s battles. Because there will always be false teachers and naysayers about God, Paul is telling Timothy he must work hard and struggle against them. I believe this is a message for all believers.
What I want to share with you is how important hope is to us all. Many times, when the word hope is used in the Bible, it seems to be synonymous with the word ‘belief’. However, whether you believe in the living God or you don’t yet believe, I don’t think you can live without hope.
When we lose hope, what do we have to look forward to? We become frightened, we think we are alone, and we may become anxious, depressed, and lose our desire to live. Who better to put our hope in than Jesus Christ? Jesus came to this imperfect world to show us the way to God, the Father. Jesus taught us how to live, how to trust, and how to believe that we could have a personal relationship with God. Jesus encourages us to trust God.
Before we can give our lives to God, we must have hope. The hope of being accepted, of being forgiven, and of being loved by God. Without hope, we cannot arrive at the place where we can truly believe in the truth of the promises made by God and about God. Hope turns into belief when we become children of God.
It is because I believe that I can hope for others. It is because I believe in an all-powerful, forgiving, and loving God that I have hope that is bigger than worldly hope. I have hope for those people who have not yet turned to God, those who have put their faith in the world. God wants us to worship and praise him, but this is not a one-way street. God also wants us to know and feel his powerful forgiving love. God wants us to turn to him when we are frightened and feel alone. God wants to live in each of us through the Holy Spirit.
Read your Bible and pray for understanding, talk to other believers, talk to your pastor, and go to Bible study. Do not be frightened to admit that you are struggling to hope in the Lord. Every believer started out not having a relationship with God. Yes, sometimes it is difficult to believe but pray to God and ask him to give you the hope you need. Never forget, God loves you.
Prayer: Lord God thank you that we can always turn to you in hope. I thank you, Lord, that we can trust you to love us. We need only ask and believe that you forgive us for all our sins. Please help us to turn away from sin and hope in you. Amen
21 Days of Prayer & Fasting 