Yet...

Hopelessness leads to despair.  From that comes a multiple of maladies that we see played out as we are bombarded by the media.  In every outlet, be it television, web, newspaper or radio, good news is scarce.  Instead, we see the effects of hopelessness and despair.

Christians are not exempt from the effects of tragedy, but the way we handle it should be a part of our "evangelism" to a world in need of hope.  I praise God for the Bible that gives me His divine plan and purpose for us, His creatures.  Time and time again, I have been renewed in my thinking with a hope that is beyond understanding.

The Psalm is a book full of writers who loved God but had real problems.  That's what makes it such a therapeutic book.  In chapter twenty-two, David cries out in his well-read messianic Psalm, "Why have You forsaken me?"  One of the big issues in mulling over our problems is loneliness.  I am forsaken!  Notice David says, "My God".  God is personal to him.  But God is not delivering him from this problem.  He says, "I'm groaning" alone!  "You do not answer...I have no rest."

What keeps David from despair?  "YET"!  David thinks rightly!  "Yet You are holy...enthroned...
trusted...disappoint not."  Whatever happens he trusts in a God Who is in control and there is hope and stability there.  He cries out again after remembering his great God, but again he comes back to the right thinking of "Yet".  "You have been my God from my mother's womb."

At the end of that Psalm, David exults in his God-given thoughts with, "Posterity will serve Him; It will be told of the Lord to the coming generation.  They will come and will declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, that He has performed it."  That's true, because here I am declaring to myself and to you.

Mindset

After reading the same chapter in Romans for the last three weeks, you'd think I wouldn't notice anything new!  Not so!  This has reigned true over and over again with God's word.  The depth of the treasure is mind-blowing.  Chapter eight, verse six through eight says, "For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able  to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God."

I hear the word "mindset" again and again in all kinds of conversations.  The definition, pretty self-explanatory,  from a few sources is something like this:  an attitude, disposition, mood, intention, inclination; a fixed mental attitude or disposition that predetermines a person's responses to and interpretations of situations; the established set of attitudes held by someone.  Ok, so, to put it simply, it's that in you that makes you do what you do.

So, why do you do what you do?  What is your mindset?  What internal motivator gives you the direction of your conversations and actions in all of life?  I think it's crystal clear in this chapter of Romans.  In fact, in verse five, it says: "For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit."  Again, pretty clear cut.

Which will it be?  Death or life and peace?  What is your "fixed mental attitude" in regard to the pattern of your life choices?  Romans gives us the direction of the two actions, "mind set on the flesh" or "mind set on the Spirit".  It gives us the destination of the two actions, "death" or "life".  And in verse eight, it tells us that we are not "even able to do so".  It seems to be a quandary, but in reality, it was taken care of before the foundation of the world.  Verse three tells us the good news: "God did"..."sent His own Son as an offering for sin."

What is your mindset?  "Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you."  Don't let the flesh win the victory over your mindset.  Death, hostility, rebellion, inability to please God.  This is a heavy burden to carry and after traveling life with it, the end is even worse.  Jesus lifts the burden and destroys it.  Surrender yourself to His provision.  "The mind set on the Spirit is life and peace."

Perspective

Consider the following lines of two different songs:  "I would trade the world and it's treasures for a moment of old yesterday."  "We long for a time when all time is past."  Two songs, two world views, two perspectives; one hopeless, one hope-filled.

The line of the first song comes after the person has tried everything in life to make him happy.  To him happiness comes from some unknown place.  For a time, he tried everything money could buy, thinking the next purchase or trip would be the answer but he was not fulfilled.  Now he longs for something he can never have and says he would trade everything for that moment in the past.   If he were able to make that trade, he would find he did so for nothing.

The line from the second song comes from the person who has found the answer to the longing of his soul.  That answer is fulfillment in Jesus Christ, Who is the only way to a restored relationship with God.  To this man, who has found fulfillment, the longing left is for "His kingdom come".  For the believer, true fulfillment is found in bearing fruit now and ultimately being united with Christ in heaven.  He hopes for that time when the struggle is finally done and we rest with Christ forever.

Until that time, may all those who have found their hope in Christ be fruitful influences on those who are still looking.  The only "moment of old yesterday" that will affect anyone is that moment in time over 2000 years ago, when Jesus secured our salvation and conquered death by resurrection.  He is our only hope!