My Dear Friend,

When Elijah put his face between his knees and prayed persistently for a drought-busting rain (1 Kings 18:41-45), he did not merely hope God would answer. He knew it! Why?

God had spoken. When ordering him to confront Ahab on Carmel, God promised His prophet, "And I will send rain" (1 Kings 18:1). So Elijah prayed with the perfect assurance God would answer because God had spoken and God's Word cannot fail. Or, in Jesus' words, "The Scriptures must be fulfilled" (Mark 14:49).

Christian, what are you hoping for in these uncertain times and what are you confident of? The answer surely lies in not your aspirations but God's declarations. If you wish, it may be; if He speaks, it must be. Why? The unchanging character, unrelenting will, and unstoppable power of God stand behind every divine utterance. Thus, again, Jesus said, "The Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35).

So, friend, there are some things I hope for, others I know. Let me illustrate.

I hope America will become a land of righteousness again. But I know the true, remnant church worldwide will walk in Christ's righteousness. I hope this nation will honor and believe God's Word again. But I'm sure true believers everywhere will do so.

I hope American citizens will one day love each other even when we disagree over politics. But I know humble, surrendered Christians will increasingly "love one another, as I have loved you" in these last days, as Jesus commanded (John 13:34-35).

I hope America will be deeply healed and again embody its motto E pluribus unum, or "out of many, one." But I know Christ's true body of believers will be unified before He returns, because God's Word reveals He prayed we may become "one...perfect in one" (John 17:21, 23).

I hope America's political leaders will, again, one day be honest and intent on serving the nation's needs instead of pushing its psychological buttons to serve their personal lusts for power, wealth, and fame. But I know in the church there are consecrated leaders who selflessly and faithfully "feed my sheep" even if they're not very well loved or fed themselves.

I hope rebellion and anarchy flee from our nation and respect for the rule of law returns. But I know there's a kingdom coming where the King of kings will rule and all will love and respect His every Word as their law.

I hope our nation's economy rebounds so all may be employed and have every need amply provided. But I know God will employ Christian disciples in His economy of testing in the coming days and let us "work out our own salvation" by humble trust and obedience until we grow rich in proven faith and a pricelessly close, deep, and full knowledge of Jesus.

I hope a great cultural reform breaks out in which Americans renounce atheism, immorality, and abortion and return to our traditional Judeo-Christian standards of goodness and decency. But I know the body of born-again believers will in these last days hear a cry, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him," and all true believers, "wise and foolish" will suddenly and wholly return to godly living (Matthew 25:6-7).

I hope this nation becomes a land where the Spirit of God is pervasive, maturity of character is prevalent, and purity is found everywhere, as many of our founding fathers envisioned. But I know the true church of Jesus Christ will, before He comes, become the living embodiment of Paul's three inspired visions of the church: a Spirit-indwelt temple (Ephesians 2:19-22); a body of believers mature in faith and knowledge of God (Ephesians 4:11-16); and a holy bride purified through extensive teaching and testing (Ephesians 5:25-27).

Summing up, I hope the nation will get its act together. But I know the true church will. Why? It is written! And shouldn't we apply this same simple logic to our personal prayers?

As stated above, Elijah knew what he was praying about. But what about you and me? Do you know what you are praying and believing God for today? Or are you just hoping?

Knowing,

Greg Hinnant
Greg Hinnant Ministries