Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! His words never fail. Judgement will fall upon the head of the wicked and evil man who harbored bitterness and rejoiced upon the disgrace of Israel. You will taste the bitter waters of despair. The Lord does not rejoice in evil nor does the Israelite whose heart has been purged of uncleanliness, but justice will stand in truth, honor and dignity and will not lie.
Ezk 35:5-8
5 Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time that their iniquity had an end:
6 Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord God, I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee: sith thou hast not hated blood, even blood shall pursue thee.
7 Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate, and cut off from it him that passeth out and him that returneth.
8 And I will fill his mountains with his slain men: in thy hills, and in thy valleys, and in all thy rivers, shall they fall that are slain with the sword.
9 I will make thee perpetual desolations, and thy cities shall not return: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
Oh Israel, the time has come with much endurance, resilience and patience. You shall walk in purity, holiness and righteousness. The Lord has given you authority to reign in your city and upon everywhere your feet shall trend. Remember the wilderness and what you have endured and how the Lord brought you through every trial. Remember God’s covenants and laws. Reflect on them daily. Precede with caution and wisdom. The Lord goes before you. He will protect and guide you. He will establish your hand. Give God all the glory for the work He has done! Rejoice! I say again, “Rejoice!”
Ezk 36:24-32
24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.
30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen.
31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.
32 Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord God, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.
Every day, headlines remind us that the world feels increasingly uncertain. From ongoing conflicts and economic instability to rising living costs and the quiet weight of personal struggles, many people are navigating a constant undercurrent of pressure and fear. The digital age amplifies it all: Bad news travels faster, lingers longer, and often leaves us feeling overwhelmed or powerless. In times like these, hope can feel fragmented or non-existent. It is precisely in seasons of uncertainty that hope becomes not just necessary, but a divine gift. It’s a steady anchor that keeps us grounded, resilient, and moving forward despite what we see around us.
Everyone handles obstacles, challenges and opposition differently. How do you react or respond to turmoil? Hope is an underestimated response to trauma and crisis.
How you’re able to cope with change determines how you will go through difficult seasons in life. Adaptability is priority in shifting seasons.
There are some people who live a very meticulous life. They’re very calculated. They dot their I’s and cross their T’s. Their life has order and structure. They set goals and meet them. Life has balance and everything adds up. If it doesn’t, they cannot handle it. They may find it hard to adapt to change. Their plans are made and they cannot deal with distractions or obstacles that deter or disrupt their schedules.
There are also another group of people who live a carefree life. They don’t set goals. They live on a whim. They do not care about much in life. They live reckless lives. They tend to believe everything is someone else’s fault and they do not take accountability for their actions. They believe they’re the victim and that the world owes them something. They’re careless and do not value anything. It shows in how they treat people and how they treat themselves as well as how they take care of their possessions. They are poor stewards to what has been given to them. They play Russian Rolette with their life.
There are another group of people who never expected much out of life. They play it safe so life won’t disappoint them. They move through life with caution or skepticism. They may look at others and desire their goals, aspirations and to acquire what they have but do not want to work to achieve it. They have a “One day or Some day” I’ll do it mentality. They tend to procrastinate. They roll the dice and call it a day.
Lastly, another group of people have high expectations in life. They planned for the future and set goals but somehow life didn’t turn out how they had planned. They took a wrong turn, made bad decisions or life simply was full of obstacles, challenges and opposition. They may have missed opportunities or constantly prepared for opportunities that never came but they do not grow weary or tired but carry strength and resilience despite the challenges in life.
You may find yourself in one of these descriptive categories or maybe a mixture of them. Either way, there is a big difference between luck, chance, wishing and hoping. Let’s look at the definition of luck.
LUCK (Noun)
The force that seems to operate for good or ill in a person’s life, as in shaping circumstances, events or opportunities
Good fortune; advantage or success, considered as the result of chance
A combination of circumstances, events, etc. operating by chance to bring good or ill to a person
Some object on which good fortune is supposed to depend. (EX: The rabbit foot is my lucky charm).
In the world, people believe in luck. They believe that circumstances led them to success, usually by their own actions or by serendipity. They believe they’ve designed their own destinies by the choices they’ve made in life or things just fell into place by luck.
However, they do not acknowledge or believe in the divine plan of the Lord and the divine order He has for their life. In Isaiah 46:10 it states, “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure”
CHANCE (Noun)
The absence of any cause of events that can be predicted, understood, or controlled: Often personified or treated as a positive energy.
Luck or fortune
A possibility or probability of anything happening
An opportune or favorable time; opportunity.
CHANCE (Verb)
To happen or occur by chance
To take the chances; risks
In this culture, people take a lot of chances which is a series of random events or actions. However, as believers we are encouraged to believe in God’s favor, promises and blessings over our lives. We do not leave our life to chance. In life there will be unpredictable events and circumstances, but we should have a strong belief in the sovereignty of God and put our trust in Him.
11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happened to them all.
Eccl 9:11
In Prov 19:33 it states, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.
Jer 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11
WISH (Verb)
To wish; desire; long for
To desire (a person or thing) to be (as specified).
To make a wish
WISH (Noun)
An act or instance of wishing
A request or command
Throughout childhood, wishing has been implanted in us. In Disney movies, wishing and magic are the driving force to making dreams come true. Magic wands, crystal balls and fairy dust are some of the whimsical methods they use to enchant children. Some people believe that wishing is harmless however wishing is void of God. We should seek the Lord in prayer and align with God’s will. In 1 John 5:14-15 it states, “14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
However, we should not ask in selfish gain or selfish motives. Often when people are done wrong, they wish bad on others but the Lord is our contender. He will consume the enemy. In Rom 12:14-21 it states, “14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[b] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.”
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
Psalm 27:4
HOPE (Noun)
The feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best
A particular instance of this feeling
Hope (Verb)
To look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence
To believe, desire or trust.
To feel that something desired may happen
To place trust, rely in
Unfortunately, we live in a society that is losing hope. Hope is vital to survival. Hope is underestimated but it’s literally as powerful as faith. Without hope, people commit suicide. Without hope, people give up on their dreams. Without hope, people fall into depression, discouragement and despair. Without hope, people don’t have strength to keep going. Hope sounds like a weakness almost like you’re leading life by chance, but in reality, it’s the driving force to resilience. Hope keeps you moving forward despite the curve balls life throws at you.
In a world where uncertainty often feels louder than reassurance, hope is not a passive feeling. Hope is a conscious decision. You choose to believe that what lies ahead can still be good, even when the present feels heavy. Hope doesn’t ignore reality; it strengthens us to face it with courage, clarity, focus, and faith. When everything around us shifts, our faith becomes the steady foundation we stand on, while hope reminds us that setbacks are not the end of the story. By holding onto hope, we not only uplift ourselves but also can encourage others to keep going. And in times like these, we need to walk in obedience and seek the Lord for His divine purpose and plan for our life.
If you just happened to come across this website, don’t let this be where your journey with hope end. let it deepen. If you’re ready to anchor your life in truth and strengthen your faith in uncertain times, download your free Bible Study Guide “Anchored in Hope” today. It’s designed to help you reflect, grow, and hold onto hope through every season. Click below to get your copy to grow and strengthen your relationship with Christ.
5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. 6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. Mark 16:5-7
In celebration of the Resurrection, let us rest in the hope and promises of our Lord. From Calvary to the Tomb, Jesus overcame death, burial and the grave. We carry the blessed hope while Jesus carried the heavy weight of the world’s sin in exchange of His gift of forgiveness, grace and mercy. Let us live with great expectation of His return not as an escape from this world, but as the fulfillment of prophecy. Let us not place our faith in men, but in God our everlasting hope. We have the gift of the Holy Spirit which leads us in our daily lives.
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and earth.”
Matt 28:18
Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body which is given to you, do this in the remembrance of me.”
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Do this in remembrance of me. Matt 26:26-28
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 1 Corinthians 11:27-29
As the world celebrates bunnies, colored easter eggs and Easter baskets full of candy. We will worship the Lord our Savior. For Easter is symbolic of a pagan holiday known as Ishtar and pronounced as Easter. It was the original holiday celebrated by Assyrian and Babylonian goddess of fertility and sex. Her symbol was known for eggs and bunnies.
Jesus has warned us to come out and be separate from the world. Our faith walk may not be easy, but God is faithful and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Heb 11:6
May the revelation of His love rest with you as you reflect on every promise that has been given to you by the Word of God.
Writing with Purpose 