“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” —Lamentations 3:22-23
Sometimes the world seems hopeless.
Maybe it’s because of the violence that creates a domino effect as one outburst after another erupts in this city or that. Maybe it’s the hardship we experience through illness, family conflict and money issues. Maybe it’s the messy political climate that leaves candidates and constituents alike entangled in disagreement.
Where’s all the good news?
“My hope does not rest in the affairs of this world,” Billy Graham once said. “It rests in Christ who is coming again.”
As followers of Jesus Christ, we know there’s hope beyond this life—a glorious hope of something more, something greater than anything we can imagine, with no more sorrow or pain.
And until then?
With so much suffering and discord dominating the headlines—and even our personal lives—we may miss all the good things happening around us. Yet every day, there are wonderful opportunities to see God at work in the world and to express our gratefulness for His protection and provision. The book of Lamentations says His mercies “are new every morning.”
Over the summer, people shared on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Facebook page about things that have given them hope despite a global whirlwind of bad news.
Chrystal wrote about visiting her brother. They caught up on each other’s lives and shared a meal. “We had been estranged for quite some time,” she wrote, but after the visit, “all was forgotten, our sibling love for one another [is] stronger than ever now. He and I were both praying for reconciliation and the Lord heard our prayers and answered to the affirmative!”
Fern wrote about his 21-year-old daughter with special needs who just started coloring on her own. “It has taken 21 years and God is doing something new in her,” he wrote.
Others wrote about inspiring things they’ve seen others do.
Rachel Ann saw a mechanic offer help to a couple with a broken down truck. Patti was thrilled to see three children accept Christ during vacation Bible school. And another woman was asked by her 7-year-old son not to disturb his Bible study.
“He truly inspired me to start a children’s ministry, and he gave me the hope that other children can have a desire for spiritual things as well,” she wrote.
If you need hope today, check out the links below.
7 Ways to Find Hope
You might even choose one to focus on each day this week.
- Billy Graham devotion: A brief thought and a prayer for the future.
- Bible study from Anne Graham Lotz: Learn about the ultimate refuge and victory we have in Christ.
- People dedicating their lives to Christ: Watch as people worldwide indicate decisions for Christ in real time through BGEA’s internet evangelism ministry.
- Prayers from Billy and Franklin Graham: Pray along as you lift up the nation to God.
- Bible verses: Let these words encourage you in the days ahead.
- Billy Graham’s answer on finding purpose in old age: Life is hard, someone once wrote to Billy Graham, so why doesn’t God just take me to heaven now?
- A quote to share with your friends:
Here at BGEA, we’re also finding hope through stories of strength, comfort and transformation.
How God Is Moving Through BGEA Ministries
BGEA has the privilege of witnessing God do amazing things around the world. Take a look at recent stories from various BGEA ministries, and ask God to show you how He’s working in your own life.
- STORY: Steve and Peggy of California are answering God’s call by phone and witnessing miracles along the way.
- AUDIO: Karen recalls how God gave her strength at her lowest point in this 1-minute message.
- PHOTOS: Will Graham shares the hope of Christ in Canada
- STORY: Grace is overcoming depression and helping mend her marriage after completing an online discipleship course.
- VIDEO: Hundreds of Scottish people make decisions for Christ
How about you? What are some things you’ve seen or experienced lately that gave you hope?
