When Hope Seems Gone, Remember This

God is not like people, who lie; He is not a human who changes his mind. Whatever he promises, he does; He speaks, and it is done. ~ Numbers 23:19

When Joseph fled with Mary and the infant Jesus into Egypt, it was not simply to escape the fury of a homicidal king. It was to fulfill the purpose of God, who is pleased to show His love by letting His Son identify with the cries of a broken world. Matthew writes, “When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son” (Matthew 2:14–15).

Jesus entered into the suffering of the world at the very beginning of His life. He heard the songs of the oppressed, the prayers of those longing for freedom. And that cry is still heard today. The lost peoples of the world are crushed under the weight of sin, pain and injustice, crying out for a Deliverer.

The Bible makes it clear that Deliverer is not simply a title, it is a promise. The prophet Isaiah was inspired by God to write, “The Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob” (Isaiah 59:20). That Redeemer is none other than Jesus Christ, the One who would bear the scars that heal the nations. Peter proclaims, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

In a world full of empty promises, the Word of God stands unshaken. “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19). The promise of a Deliverer is not the product of wishful thinking, it is written by the hand of God, sealed in the blood of Christ, and guaranteed by His resurrection.

And here is where it becomes personal. Your heart may doubt. Your eyes may not see hope on the horizon. But faith does not rest on feelings, it rests on the unchanging promise of God. Jesus Himself said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

The world is crying out for healing, and the scars of Jesus are the answer. The Deliverer is not far away. He is standing by. The same Jesus who came to save in Bethlehem, who died on Calvary and who rose from the grave, is coming again. And when He does, He will make all things right.

Today, you don’t have to keep searching for freedom in empty places. The Deliverer has already come. He is here to forgive sins, to give life, and to bring hope where there is none. Call upon Him, because the Bible promises, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

Cauldrons of Evil

Is this any way to run a country? Is there an honest politician in the house? Behind the scenes you brew cauldrons of evil, behind closed doors you make deals with demons. ~ Psalms 58:1-2 MSG

Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.” ~ Psalms 58:11 ESV

While reading my Bible study today, Psalms 58:1-11 in The Message translation really stood out. David’s words felt strikingly relevant, as if he were describing the very challenges we see in our country today—corruption, injustice, and the wicked working in secret. “Poison, lethal rattlesnake poison, drips from their forked tongues ~ Psalms 58:4 MSG”. But what stood out most was the reminder that evil cannot hide forever; when exposed to the light, it resists, but truth prevails. Just as David trusted in God’s justice, we, too, can find hope that righteousness will ultimately triumph over darkness.

  
Read / Listen

Numbers 22:21-23:30
Luke 1:57-80
Psalm 58:1-11
Proverbs 11:12-13

New Testament

Luke 1:57-80

Bible Open to Luke

Summary
The Birth of John the Baptist
Zechariah’s Prophecy

Birth of John

Gospel of Luke 1:57-80  – Video

Listen to John MacArthur on today’s scripture below:

Mark by John MacArthur

 

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Dr. J. Vernon McGee – Thru the Bible

 

Luke 1:57-80 by Dr. J. Vernon McGee – Thru the Bible

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