Where Does Hope and Peace Come From?

In 1851 Matthew Arnold wrote a powerful poem called “Dover Beach.”  He wrote it partially to express the security and love he felt with his new bride and also to make a cultural statement about the changing nature of the Victorian era.  People were beginning to question traditional faith beliefs in light of some new ideas and discoveries in the areas of nature and science.  His thoughts are summarized in the lyrical line when he says:

for the world, which seems
To lie before us like a land of dreams,
So various, so beautiful, so new,
Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light,
Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain. (Arnold par.4)

Poetry was Arnold’s way of expressing his personal faith struggle in this tumultuous time.  And in a sense, his sentiments seem to capture how many people feel in this current time of pandemic and suffering. 

Many people are asking, “Where does hope and peace come from?”  “Is there anything that can help us overcome our fear and uncertainty for the future?  I believe there is. 

Rather than moving away

from our faith beliefs,

we should run towards them

with a hopeful and confident heart. 

I know things are difficult and I am not trying to diminish your individual pain and suffering.  I am just trying to remind you that if the Bible says anything at all, it says that God loves us and is in control of all things.  It goes on to proclaim that God gave us His Son Jesus to enable us to overcome sin, fear, and suffering.  The righteousness of Jesus is given to us when we believe and trust in His death.  And His resurrection proves that death can be conquered and one day we will all live forever with Him in heaven.

So, it is ok to worry, have anxiety about the future, and struggle with doubts during this time.  Just don’t give in to complete despair because evil was conquered by Jesus’ death on the cross.  Jesus has defeated evil, we are just not able to experience the full nature of that victory until He returns.  But He is coming and it will be awesome. 

Be safe and let us know if you or your family need anything.

Pastor Derek

Works cited

Arnold, Matthew. “Dover Beach.” The Poetry Foundation. 

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43588/dover-beach