The writer of the famous hymn Abide With Me reveals an awareness of world events in his time - "change and decay in all around I see" - followed by an optimistic prayer for God's help in facing the future: "O Thou who changest not, abide with me."
In our day of speedier communication and broadcasting of news we are fully informed about events, often at the time they are happening. We are made aware of more and more progress in all fields of human research, resulting in blessings we enjoy. As in the hymn, we also see the signs of "change and decay" around us daily. Alongside the great progress and endeavours by the people of the world runs a tale of "man's inhumanity to man". Overwhelmed by constant reports of evil, dishonesty, or heartless behaviour, there is an urgent call for believers to pray for more faith, hope and love.
I was so impressed by an article by Peter Graves in the Bible Reading Fellowship notes that I wrote to express thanks for it. It is so helpful that I hope readers will give it extra study.
"Belief in God inspires the kind of hope that has seen everything, endured everything, and still has not despaired. As Bishop Trevor Huddleston puts it, `Christian hope is not blind optimism. Optimism assumes things will get better. Christian hope is about looking life in the face and finding God at the centre.' . . Christian hope rooted in God puts an `airy-fairy' vague optimism in the shade. In Christian hope we discover more of the resources of God's love and power."
In a fairly recent radio programme discussing declining attendances at church services, Dean Robert MacCarthy of St Patrick's Cathedral expressed Christian hope by noting the large number of the faithful that are today continuing to be present at public worship.
Christian hope - "looking life in the face and finding God at the centre" - is a phrase filled with helpful teaching for those tempted to be depressed by current affairs.
They may be glad to be reminded of an old saying when the church is wronged for having faults: "From the abuse no argument is drawn against the use".
St Paul's words to believers facing difficult times are true still: "I consider that the suffering of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. . .In hope we were saved. . .If we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. . .We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose."
"Thank you, Lord, for the way you have used difficult circumstances in my life and brought good out of them. Help me to be ever open to the work of your Spirit so that I might not lose heart but move forward in hope. Amen."
W.W.