our world needs God's hope and love

Zechariah 7:9  NLT

This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another.

I have been struggling with this devotion most of the day.  Actually is started in my mind a few days ago with the death of a man in my home town of Tulsa, Oklahoma by a police officer and then what has happened closer to us in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

My heart aches for hurting people around the world.  To hear of hatred, riots and more pain being caused crushes my heart, and honestly it is hard to grasp.  People in so many different places are hurting, questioning their situation and in deep need of the hope that only God can give.

I talked with a young man earlier this week who recently got out of jail, then was in the hospital and now he is struggling with being told he has a mental illness.  Maybe I left out what connected us, this young man was homeless.  We talked about his options, about his faith and about steps he has to take.

Also this week I’ve been dealing with a friend who is battling addiction.  They have bad decision after bad decision, and I am watching the hurt in their life tearing them a part each day.  Their pain wrecks my heart, but there is very little I can do without their right decisions.

Hurting people hurt my heart, and hurting people give me purpose for life.  I want to dig in to help even more people.  No matter the situation there is a place for hope.

There is also a place for hope.  Whether there is something devastating an entire community or a disease wrecking on person’s life, there is a place where hope needs to thrive.

One preacher friend of mine that died several years ago called himself a “broker of hope”, and that is just what I want to be.

In Tulsa where a man is death, a cop is charged with manslaughter, and the town is in an uproar with hate being painted all over, there is a need of hope.

In Charlotte where the last few days have left marks from rioting and hatred, there is a need for hope to be given to so many people.

One more thought … this hope gifted to us from God is wrapped in His love.  Like Mark Luther King Jr said “hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that”.

Hebrews 10:23  NLT

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

Psalm 33:22  NLT

Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.

Romans 5:5  NLT

And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.