Heavenly Hope And Help

HEAVENLY HOPE AND HELP

Text: Ps.62: 7, 8

Intro: There is no denying the fact that our world has become an increasingly distressing place to live. The troubles of this old world seem to be without end. With every new day the news media greets us with myriads of tragedies that took place even as we slept; all the latest accounts of murders, rapes, starving children, fighting nations, and catastrophes of earthquakes, tidal waves and tornadoes.

Some have tried to get us to believe that man and his environment are getting better; that man will eventually create a utopian society, where there will be no hunger, crime, or catastrophic disasters. But if that is so, why haven’t we seen any signs of it?

Man has had such thoughts since the Tower of Babel, yet there is no indication that we are any closer to attaining utopia. As a matter of fact, everything would seem to indicate the very opposite.

No my friends, there will be no utopia; no worldwide peace and tranquility, until the Prince of Peace comes to set up His kingdom upon the earth. There can be no real peace apart from He who is the very source of peace. Let man scheme and plan as he will, he cannot produce a lasting peace and goodwill among mankind, apart from God.

However, in spite of all the unrest, unconcern, and ungodliness of our world today, the Christian is not without hope and help. Over and over again, the Bible reminds us of this comforting truth. In Ps.71: 5 we are told, “For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.” Ps.121: 2 says, “My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” These are but a couple of passages that assure us of hope and help from the Lord. Many others could be sited.

The passage that we used as our text today, gives us three very good reasons why we are assured of heavenly hope and help from the Lord in the midst of life’s trials. Consider these with me today.

Theme: Christians are assured of heavenly hope and help because:

I. GOD IS OUR SALVATION

Ps.62: 7a “In God is my salvation and glory…”

A. We Have Been Delivered From The Condemnation Of Sin.

1. This is because the Redeemer paid the cost.

I Pet.2: 24 “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye are healed.”

2. This is because the repentant procure cleansing.

I John 1: 7b “…the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

Rev.1: 5b “…Unto him (Jesus) that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,”

3. This is because the redeemed possess no condemnation.

Rom.8: 1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

B. We Have Been Delivered From The Control Of Satan.

Col.1: 12 “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:”

II Tim.2: 25 “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

NOTE: Once we were in bondage Satan and sin. But Jesus set us free.

A story told by Paul Lee Tan illustrates the meaning of redemption. He said that when A.J. Gordon was pastor of a church in Boston, he met a young boy in front of the sanctuary carrying a rusty cage in which several birds fluttered nervously. Gordon inquired, “Son, where did you get those birds?” The boy replied, “I trapped them out in the field.” “What are you going to do with them?” “I’m going to play with them, and then I guess I’ll just feed them to an old cat we have at home.” When Gordon offered to buy them, the lad exclaimed, “Mister, you don’t want them, they’re just little old wild birds and can’t sing very well.” Gordon replied, “I’ll give you $2 for the cage and the birds.” “Okay, it’s a deal, but you’re making a bad bargain.”

The exchange was made and the boy went away whistling, happy with his shiny coins. Gordon walked around to the back of the church property, opened the door of the small wire coop, and let the struggling creatures soar into the blue.