TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2017.
OPTIMISM
DEFINITION:
A tendency to look on the more favorable side or to expect the more favorable outcome of events or conditions; a belief that good will always triumph.
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5.
Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you. Philippians 3:15.
We ask the question to you: How are we to act when we live in a world that is hurting, lonely, struggling and its people are at war with one another? But first we want to look at the word optimism because optimism is what God is looking for in us. But what does this mean?
Edward R. Morrow, one of America’s most famous newscasters in past years often defined an optimist as “Someone who tells you to cheer up when things are not going your way.”
Optimism is related to a positive attitude, confidence, a rosy outlook and great expectations. Eleanor Dole wrote: “An optimist is one who thinks the good old days are yet to come. An optimist is wrong as often as a pessimist, but he or she had a lot more fun.”
The majority of the people living in our world today are living in difficult situations. We, as a people in general, live in a time of uncertainty. No one can be certain of what tomorrow may bring.
When a nation and a world is in turmoil the people are looking for remedies and corrective measures. But non-believers in Jesus do not have the answer even though they have lots of suggestions.
As believers in Jesus we do have an answer and that is why we picked the word optimism for today. You can be optimistic about today and tomorrow by reading and then following the steps you read in II Chronicles 7:14. Let us write out this verse here:
“If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Look at the principles that this verse gives us. It begins with “IF.” The “if” comes before the promise. The “if” depends on us. IF WE:
• HUMBLE THEMSELVES: each of us must be willing to admit our sins
• PRAY: each of us must pray to God and ask Him to forgive us.
• SEEK THE FACE OF GOD: each of us must seek God continually by reading His Word and communicating with Him in prayer.
• TURN FROM ONE’S WICKED WAYS: each of us must turn from our sinful behavior.
Then God will act -- He will hear -- He will forgive -- He will heal our land. God will hear our prayers. God never turns a deaf ear to an earnest plea. God sent His Son, Jesus, to die for all of our sins. There is none that He will not forgive. God will bless the land that honors Him.
This is a promise that God made hundreds of years ago, and God has honored every one of His promises. If we do not obey this verse there is no hope for America or the world. If we obey what God has commanded us we can be optimistic as to what God will do for us as a people, a nation and a world.
The motto of the United States of America is, “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The question is, do we really trust in God as the founders of our country did?
Our memory verse for this week is found in Genesis 1:1.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Beginning with me help all of us who are called by Your name to humble ourselves before You and turn from our wicked ways and seek Your forgiveness. Begin a healing in our land so that our country can truly become one nation under God.
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