Hope and Sufferings

we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.  Rom 5: 2-5

Hope, What is hope and who can give us hope or who is our hope? How our sufferings and hope go together? When my soul is loaded and troubled how I can get peace and hope of something better? Jesus is our Hope, He says that " come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for you souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" Matt 11:28-31. We can rest in Jesus words and quietly hope and wait how our Lord Jesus Christ will help us "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" Psalm 27:14. Our Lord knows our affliction, He knows our living and all troubles, our God is good and will help, "the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God" 2 Cor 1: 3-4. We all need hope and comfort, and we can serve our neighbor with the comfort we have received.

Streams of Water

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and the streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams. Isa 44:3-4.

God can provide water for our thirsty soul like rainy seasons for dry grounds. This summer we have had both beautiful sunny days and fresh water for plants, so we can be grateful for our God. But summers are not in all places worldwide blessing but might mean lack of food and water. Fresh water is crucial for every people, animals and plants, we who have enough can provide water and food for those who are not so lucky. Our Jesus Christ has saved our soul and filled it with his blessings and He has promised to this blessing also for our children. Can we in turn serve our neighbor and try to work for his or her best by providing water and food both for his or her soul and body?