Recently, we drove to Houston and back in one day to watch a baseball game between the Astros and rival New York Yankees. The stadium was full of Astros fans, a fair showing of heckling Yankee fans, and the excitement in the stadium was high. As the game progressed, though, the energy level plummeted as the Yankees took a commanding lead of 7-2 all the way through to the bottom of the 9th. Many Astros fans had given up hope and headed home early to beat the end game traffic, but we decided to see it through to the bitter end. To our astonishment and delight, the Astros scored 6 runs in the bottom of the ninth, winning the game with a 3 run walk-off homerun! We were so glad that we’d stayed until the end! As I read this week to the end of Mark 14, I can only imagine the despair and hopelessness Jesus’ disciples and followers were feeling in those moments and the days to follow. Things looked really bad and were about to get a whole lot worse. Aren’t you thankful that because of God’s word, we know the end of the story? As we look at our world today, there are some really dark things taking place. It’s easy to feel discouraged. And sometimes we go through really tough patches in our personal lives, when things can appear so hopeless. Whatever you’re facing, don’t give up…stay rooted in God’s word, keep praying, reach out to trusted Christ-followers, and don’t let your faith waver. Jesus is always our hope and anchor.
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus has entered on our behalf.”
Hebrews 6:19-20