Enduring Turbulent Times 2 Series

¡§Navigating Turbulent Times¡¨

Part Two: Endurance -- Romans 12:12

Review

Renewed thinking always precedes consistent transformed living.

D. Think and live wisely through turbulent times 12:12

Last week we maintained that this world has experienced turbulent times from the time Adam sinned against God¡¦s plan. Neither sinners nor saint have escaped the soul wrenching effects of living under the curse of the fall. If we can¡¦t escape it, how do we navigate the turbulence? Paul offers three anchors of stability that do not prevent the storm but offer the saint a means to survive the storms of life.

1. Regarding hope - rejoicing

To navigate turbulent times we must maintain a healthy view of the future; eternity.

What is hope?

Biblical hope indicates a confident expectation, a certain assurance, an eager anticipation, a settled conviction that the thing or event promised will most assuredly come to pass. It is similar to faith in that Abraham believed that what God promised he was able also to perform (Rom 4). Hope finds strength in the awareness, availability and ability of the one making the promise. Hope is like carrying a picture of the future in our mental wallet or purse. When things get tough, we take out the picture which helps us to make the mental and emotional adjustments necessary to endure the present turbulence. It is a living, dynamic hope. It is a steadfast and sure anchor connected to eternity through Christ.

What is the source or basis of Biblical hope?

This kind of confidence and surety has no basis in anything on this earth. Our future does not depend on our own strength, our nation¡¦s military might, the size of our investment portfolio, social security, ingenuity, technology or other people.

Į Our hope fully rests in Almighty God.

God is the one who by His own glory and excellence¡K

has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 2 Peter 1:4

The Almighty God is our hope. In the name of Jesus we have hope. The Holy Spirit continually communicates assurance and hope. Even in the midst of devastation and despair and hopelessness, Jeremiah found hope by remembering the character of God.

Lament. 3:17-26

In the midst of their devastation, God speaks through Jeremiah to remind them.

Jer 29:11-14

Our hope rests on the goodness and promise of the all powerful God. God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.

We tracked that plan from eternity to eternity in chapter 8 of Romans.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Rom 8:28-30

David said,

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord. Psa 27:13-14

¡§It is Christ in you the hope of glory.¡¨ (Col 1:27)

Paul so eagerly anticipated being with Jesus that he considered death as gain not loss.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Philip. 1:21-24

A God-centered focus is a vital ingredient for a confident hope. There are also some other factors that reinforce our hope.

Į The truth of the Words and promises of God reinforces hope

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4

Many fearful and sleepless nights after my heart attack were averted by the power of the word. Through the Scriptures we learn that despite confusing thoughts and turbulent emotions churning in the soul, because of Christ, it is well with our soul. The Scriptures can bubble out of our Spirit and cause inner peace in the midst of outer turmoil.

Not only do we need the Scriptures, but we need the author of the Scriptures.

Į The power of the indwelling Spirit stimulates hope