2020

The adjectives to describe the year 2020 have just about been exhausted. I won’t venture into trying to add to the list and will allow you to insert your own descriptive phrases. The ministry of Perfect Hope was based upon the belief that all temporal earthly things will disappoint while the only eternal and secure hope rest in the perfect hope of Jesus Christ. Just one year ago, many Christians placed their hope in Christ plus the things of this world. We placed our hope in religion and not the relationship with Jesus. We placed our hope in job security and retirement plans and not in the security of our Father’s provision. We placed our hope in self-rule and reliance rather than striving to humble ourselves in servitude for the Master. When the things of this world disappointed us this past year, many of us found refuge in alcohol and the fantasy world of sexual sin.

Many of you reading this will be placing your hope in what the future holds. Believing that 2021 will magically make all our cares go away. We can go back to “normal” activities with a vaccination and a new president. That would be returning to the old “normal” of placing your hope in the people and things of this world. If our focus is only to place 2020 in the rear-view mirror and return to our old lives then we have missed a great opportunity.

When the walls around Jerusalem were completed, the people gathered around and the priest read from the books of the Law. The people stood for hours and listened to God’s expectations and they realized they had failed. They then wept and grieved deeply for they knew their sins were great. Then they celebrated because the God of Israel had not forsaken them, redeemed them for His purpose and restored their joy.

Nehemiah 8:8-10 8 So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. 9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Before we enter into 2021, maybe we should follow the example given to us in Nehemiah. When was the last time you wept over your sins? When was the last time you let God’s law and truth bring you to your knees? God’s people had been in captivity for many years because of their own rebellion. I do not know what God intended with all the events of 2020 but we have all gone astray and followed our own path. This world is on a journey of decay and darkness but the light of the world is Jesus. He is the perfect hope. Let’s not return to the old “normal” but to a new beginning where “the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

If you or a loved one find yourself trapped in the deadly world of sexual sin, then contact us at 901-430-3412 or visit our website at www.perfecthope.org

Jonathan Jones, President and Founder