The last two years have made the future feel unpredictable for a lot of Americans, causing many to lose heart, while strengthening the resolve of others. There is no doubt that we are facing some really serious issues as a nation that are impacting all of us at a local level like never before. We are living in the aftershock of the pandemic and political unrest, media distortion and confusion about what’s true. We are facing inflation and higher gas prices, divisive cultural issues, moral insanity—and the list goes on. Studies show that hope has been shaken for millions.
"Heading into 2022, Americans are experiencing high levels of worry and much more temperate levels of hope. Eighty-four percent of Americans say they are either extremely (55%) or very worried (29%), compared to the 42% of Americans who describe themselves as extremely (18%) or very hopeful (24%)" (Clary, Benjamin. Mood of the Nation: “Majority of Americans are “Extremely Worried” about the Country in 2022,” apmresearchlab.org, January 12, 2022).
Everyone has had hopeless moments—more have lost hope than not, not because God failed, but because our source of hope has been amiss.
“When your intake of the news
is more than the Word of God then
your discouragement is self-inflicted.”
- Bill Johnson
The American people want hope, truth, compassion, stability and leadership. How do leaders, parents and families navigate these choppy waters? Historically, the people of God are no strangers to strenuous times, and the Lord has always been faithful to lead them through if they will yield.
Our history in God is rich and full of encouragement for times like this:
As followers of Christ our reason to hope isn’t based on current events but an internal knowing that His Kingdom reigns above it all.
Jesus Christ is the hope of America.
Here are 3 keys to moving forward with confident hope no matter what you are facing today:
God is not shaken by the unpredictable, and if we anchor our beliefs in Him we too will not be shaken.
Romans 15:13 (NKJV) says, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in BELIEVING, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” A life of abounding hope is the result of believing no matter what is going on.
Activation:
Declaration: Declarations are like a battering ram against the lies of the devil. When God uncovers thought that needs renewed, find a declaration in God’s Word and shift the atmosphere in your head with it.
2. Strengthening yourself in the Lord leads to explosive hope
David revealed a key that is imperative in tough times. If we strengthen ourselves in the Lord before attempting to move forward, we will move with explosive hope that leads to action. If there has ever been a time where we need men and women of action it’s now, but if it’s going to be profitable it needs to come from the heavenly realm of strength, not offense and fear.
We have seen strength demonstrated in the moms of America who have been showing up at school board meetings standing against the onslaught of hell that is coming against our children. We see this in legislators fighting to end abortion. We see it in the everyday believer who dares to be a witness for Jesus when it’s not popular.
Activation:
Take a minute to acknowledge the Lord as the strength of your life. Where you feel weak, invite Him to be strength for you.
Declaration: Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my Salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”
3. Moving with God releases hope
Hope is released from people who make agreements with the Spirit of truth. So how do we find what’s true amongst the confusion? The story of Joshua is a great place to start:
“Joshua was on his way to Jericho when the angel of the Lord appeared to him. Joshua asked, ‘Are you for us or for our enemies?’”
(In other words he was asking, “Which side are you on?”). “He replied, ‘Neither, but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.’” (Joshua 5:13–14, NIV).
The Angel of the Lord wasn’t looking for a side because he came to lead the way and Joshua wisely yielded. If we want to move with bold faith and release hope, then we need to take the same approach as Joshua who said, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” (Joshua 5:15, NIV). As an ambassador of Christ, I am not entitled to my own version of truth, but need to speak what the Lord is saying. Truth is not relative and subjected to popular opinion in culture—it is absolute. The Gospel never changes for culture, culture changes for the Gospel.
The battle we are facing is not light vs darkness, or good vs evil as much as it is truth vs lies.
Jesus’ last command He gave His disciples was to go and preach the Gospel to all creation! The proclamation of the Gospel is what will break the deception and lies of the devil, releasing hope in Jesus. It’s time to stand and speak the truth. It’s time to proclaim the good news—there is only one hope for America, His name is Jesus! We are primed for the next great awakening that will usher in a mighty wave of God and lost souls into the Kingdom of God!
Now is the time! Who will say yes?
Activation: Sit with God's Word for what he is saying today.
Declaration: Tell the Lord, “Yes God, I’ll go anywhere for you!”