Hope That Won’t Shift…Unlike the Economy

With the economy the way it is, I've been thinking a lot about how people, who don't know Christ, are responding to all the news. Hearts are failing, people are spun into deep depression, and others are resorting to suicide because they have no hope. And it's true...if they are living for the things of this earth, they're right...they don't have hope. Their hope is in this earth and this earth is going to perish. One day it will be destroyed along with everything in it. "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up" (2 Peter 3:10).nnTimes like these, remind me of the words of Jesus, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matt. 6: 19-21).nnIf you've repented of your sins, if you've been born again, if you've been forgiven by God through the finished work of Christ on the cross, then He redeemed you...He saved your soul from the grave and from everlasting torment! Just imagine…this earth is as close to Hell that you (the believer) will ever get! But the opposite is true for the unbeliever. This earth is the closest that the unbeliever will ever get to Heaven.nnFor the Christian, the Gospel produces hope that is not a wish or desire but a steadfast reality. It is not subjective but objective, it is laid up for you in heaven. So what is the hope we have as Christians?nnAnswer: Eternal life with God Almighty, heavenly glory, treasures in heaven, an inheritance that can’t and won't be stolen or lost. Just think of that. You inheritance can never be stolen. It can never be lost. What a relief! We can rest knowing that God will oversee our inheritance and He is faithful. He will do as He has promised in His Word. He will not let us down. So if you're a Christian tonight, you can rejoice knowing that your reward and inheritance is in heaven...it's secure...and won't fade away. And that, my friends, is something we can be thankful for. "Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD" (Psalm 31:24).nnPerhaps your reading this and you're not a Christian and you've been placing your hope in things that will fade away and not last...and you've lost hope. Let me ask you a few questions: Have you ever thought about death? Have you ever thought about how one day everything you hold dear to you (your spouse, children, family members, home, car, etc.) will all be striped away by this thing called death. Do you have the answer for death? Have you ever wondered why we die? Where will you go after you die? Where will you spend all eternity when your life here on earth is over?nnThink about it. The ultimate statistic is that 77 people out of 77 people die. That means you won't escape death. I won't escape death. No one will! And eternity is a long time. In fact, just think, it's forever and ever and will never end. I'm writing this because I care about you and want you to know that there's nothing more important than where you go after you die. nnwww.FishWithTrish.com