Looking for Hope in a Hopeless WorldShembull

# Hope is Shared in Christ Hope in Jesus Christ does not and should not be something we do as “islands.” God works with His people as individuals, but more importantly, He works with His people as a church. It is this brotherhood that helps us to stand against anything that is thrown at us by those who oppose the ways of the Lord. How many times have you been down and out of sorts, only to get together with your brothers and sisters to be lifted up by their words of encouragement or teachings, not to mention their prayers? The work of the church in lifting the people of God through shared connections is inestimable. We are called to encourage one another, and part of that encouragement is to strengthen the collective hopes of our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is difficult to encourage yourself when alone. But when we meet together we can encourage each other through personal connection. We can only do that effectively as a church. Remember too, that we will be received into the eternal kingdom of God as a church in the Bride of Christ. Solomon understood the strength that comes from the brethren, saying: > “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) Our hope in Christ is made stronger as we share with our brethren. He is our collective hope for salvation, and in Him we hope both individually, and as a church. Many people feel as if they are alone, especially in these days of lockdowns and the inability to meet together as a church. Many have also turned away from the church and the Lord during these difficult days. This separation will pass, and we should seek every opportunity to come back together as a church to reignite our hope and encourage one another. For various reasons some have decided to go it alone as Christians with no affiliation to a church at all, and perhaps you are one of those people. But it is clear that God wants His people to come together for many reasons, one of which is to share their hope in Jesus Christ and to grow stronger as a church. I urge the loners to find a place of connection and communion. A loner can be singled out and attacked by the devil, but it is harder for the devil to attack and penetrate a church that is operating properly and protecting its congregation. Recall the words of Peter who referred to the devil as a roaring lion, prowling about and seeking someone to devour. When a lion comes upon a herd of animals it does not attack the main herd. It attacks the loner that has become separated from the herd. The devil does the same. So if you are alone, seek to find a community of like-minded Christians to meet with. Even if it is an online community, find others you can meet with to support one another so that you can grow in Jesus Christ and in the hope that comes from one another as a church.