It is easy to read the news and despair. When we look at the world and see so much suffering, it can feel overwhelming. The reality is that many suffer every single day, but we have a hope that does not cease and promises to comfort us in our suffering.
God says that he weeps with us, but that he does not fear. God is victorious, his son has died and risen again in victory, and we can stand on the truth of the hope that this brings.
Here are ten Bible passages to inspire a renewed hope in times where the world seems to offer little:
Isaiah 43:2
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."
Psalm 23:4
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
Revelation 21:4
"'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Hebrews 7:25
"Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."
Hebrews 2:9
But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
Psalm 46.1-11
God is our refuge and strength,
a very presenthelp in trouble.
<sup>2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
<sup>3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
<sup>4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
<sup>5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
<sup>6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
<sup>7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
<sup>8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
<sup>9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
<sup>10 "Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!"
<sup>11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Matthew 5:44
"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, <sup>45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. "
Ephesians 6:10-20
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. <sup>11 Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. <sup>12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.<sup>13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. <sup>14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, <sup>15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. <sup>16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. <sup>17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
<sup>18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. <sup>19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, <sup>20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."
Romans 8:31-39
"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Hebrews 13:8
"Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever."
