The famous English author George Orwell wrote,
“Since about 1930 the world has given us no reason for optimism whatever. Nothing is in sight except a welter of lies, hatred, cruelty, and ignorance, and beyond our present troubles looms vaster ones which are only now entering into our consciousness. It is quite possible that man’s major problems will never be solved.”
What do you think? Will our major problems ever be solved? After reading the morning newspaper, one wonders if it’s not one day with a new problem followed by another day with a new problem. I have to admit I sometimes just skip the front page and head for the sports page. I’ve always found the sports page to be pretty good reading. The news of ceaseless tragedy, crisis, scandal, crime, abuse, injustice is enough to turn the most cheery person into a grouch, the most optimistic into a pessimist.
So let me share some good news. As Christian people we have reason to be hopeful, enthused, optimistic, confident, full of life and having fun. Peter shares this reason for confidence:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3)
Let’s remember God didn’t have to save our soul. He was under no obligation whatsoever to send his Son to die on a cross. God didn’t have to concern himself with us and the ‘welter of lies, hatred, and ignorance’. Yet, He chose to do so. As God looked down from heaven to see all the terrible stuff going on (and it’s been going on since time began) instead of blowing us up and starting over with a different creation that wasn’t so rebellious, He had love and mercy on us.
Dwell on that a moment and think about who loves us? God himself, the King of all Kings and Ruler of all peoples. The All-Powerful and All-knowing One who speaks a word and worlds are made, mountains rise, oceans fill, suns glow, plants grow, life begins. That Almighty Person, loves me.
Now that gives me confidence. If I ever start getting down on myself and some stupid thing I did or something I wish I could do, I just ponder this thought: Yes, Mark you are limited and do some pretty dumb things, but in spite of it all …. “There is nothing you can do to make God love you more and there is nothing you have done to make God love you less.” (A quote from Philip Yancey).
The proof of God’s incredible love for me is the cross. From the cross, Jesus died to set me free from the dumb and sinful things I’ve done and in the resurrection Jesus shows there is a hope for me of new life and even forever life. Peter calls this our “living hope”.
George Orwell, spoke of the hopelessness of life concluding “It is quite possible that man’s major problems will never be solved.” Well George, I take exception to that thought. In Christ all our problems are solved. Hope and confidence is the ruling words for the Christian both for this day and every day to come.
By the way – George Orwell, as accomplished as he was in the literary world, was an avowed atheist who rejected the existence of God concluding life to be only ‘a welter of lies, hatred, cruelty, and ignorance, and beyond our present troubles looms vaster ones which are only now entering into our consciousness’.
Throw off such pessimism — with Peter declare in assurance and confidence,
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3)
Pastor Mark Molstre
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