PAUSE FOR THOUGHT: The Bible tells us there is always hope

It is almost beyond belief that thousands of tons of dangerous explosives could be left so unsecured for one minute let alone years, and, in such a populated area! Of course, the enquiry will begin, and people will claim how unaware they were of the dangers or indeed what else they could have done.

I listened to one man being interviewed. This poor man made what I consider to be one of the saddest statements a human being can ever make. There is no hope of a future.

The bible tells us that there is always hope. God loves us so much that he guaranteed our hope by giving himself, in the form of his son, Jesus Christ to ensure we have hope and a future. In fact, in the bible, God says, ‘I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you, plans for hope and a future!’

Sadly, too many people take what he has to say too lightly and ignore the very real danger. The truth is that, like those poor people in Beirut, the time will come when that danger will manifest itself into reality. Life will be gone and there will be no hope of a future for them.

The good news is that, unlike those who ignored that inevitable disaster, God has already put the safety measures in place. That disaster could have happened at any time. The people had years to ignore or resolve the problem and take action.

God says that the moment we act and come back to him we find instant and eternal safety and the greatest hope we can have for a future.

The word hope in the bible is more than hope, it is certainty. When we rely upon God our future is certain, not merely hopeful!

Peter in the bible says that God is patient in his gracious love waiting for people to come back to him before it is too late.

However, reality is that, the day will come when the impending danger will manifest itself into reality. In his great love God has ensured that we know the truth of the danger ahead, and, how to avoid the greatest disaster. For now, God is patiently waiting for you in his great love, he has prepared a future for you that is certain and invites you to come and grasp it.

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