Nervous about Nov. 3? Have Hope!

As anxiety intensifies leading up to Nov. 3, align your spirit with the Lord of peace through the Beatitudes.

Nervous about the election? Let’s fill ourselves with the peace of Christ, as a countermeasure to the anxiety that is bound to increase in the days ahead.

Today I was researching for the upcoming weekend’s sermon. For this Sunday, All Saints’ Day, the Gospel lesson is Matthew 5:1-12, Jesus’ Beatitudes. Nine beatitudes. Nine days until Election Day. Hmm … time for a devotion series!

Today: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)

The Beatitudes name a present condition and point to a future hope.

The present condition, such as poverty of spirit, is the result of living in a world broken by sin. And is our world ever broken! You see the signs of brokenness all around you. The political scene has enough of it. So do our personal lives and the lives of our loved ones.

Our future hope is all because of Jesus. Because of His death to pay for our sins and His resurrection to give us new life, we have reason for hope! Even when the world seems like it’s spinning out of control, we have reason for hope!

Our hope is not in this world. Ultimately, a Christian’s hope is in eternal life. The nature of hope is that you don’t have the fulfillment yet. But the promise is enough to strengthen you and help you carry on.

“For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (Romans 8:24-25)

The Beatitudes direct our attention to the future – the kingdom of heaven, Christ’s return, a new heaven and new earth. A hopeful eternal future makes for a joyful present, no matter current conditions.

Concordia Seminary professor Jeffrey Gibbs writes, “So certain and strong, however, is the promised final comfort that it impinges on and alters the present flawed existence. Jesus’ disciples live now in light of what is to come.” (Matthew 1:1-11:1 commentary)

Worried about what is to come Nov. 3? God isn’t.

The Lord is in charge! He sees a much bigger picture. He’s working out His plan for this world, a plan that will end in pure goodness. Never lose sight of that.

As recipients of God’s promises in Christ, in every season, in trials and tribulations, in poverty of spirit, in good times and in bad times … we are blessed!

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