We live in an age of cynicism.
Leaders fall from grace amidst scandal. Those we trust betray us through selfishness and abuse. Organizations hide the truth and bully people to protect themselves. Posts go viral instantly, while we discover they were lies much later. Doctored videos make us believe something untrue.
At a time in which it is hard to know who or what to trust, it’s easy to lose hope and become cynical. However, cynicism can be a shield to protect our hearts from further disappointment. Brené Brown notes, “Cynicism and sarcasm often mask anger, fear, feelings of inadequacy, and even despair.”
For followers of Jesus, hope is too important to surrender without a fight. Speaking about hope in 1 Corinthians 13, Paul states, “Three things will last forever - faith, hope, and love.” So, where can we base our hope if we can’t handle betrayal again?
Cody Carnes has an idea! In his new song, Hope of The Ages.” The song opens with a clear definition of true hope. “The gospel of Jesus, It’s the hope of the ages, Burning brighter and brighter, And standing forever.”
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It’s not surprising to hear a group of Christians say that our hope is in Jesus. But, practically, what does that look like? It’s one thing to sing about hoping in Jesus, but quite another thing to actively put your hope in Jesus in the middle of a frustrating Monday afternoon where you want to quit.
Here are a few places to start, based upon the truth of Scripture expressed in “Hope of the Ages.”
First, we can actively choose to praise God in a difficult situation. In the chorus of “Hope of the Ages,” Carnes sings, “Yeah all praise belongs to Him, Yeah all praise belongs to Jesus.”
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This truth about God being worthy of our praise comes from Paul’s opening greeting to the church in Corinth at the start of his second letter. “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”
We praise God not because we always feel like praising God. Instead, we choose this path because we know God is merciful and the source of lasting comfort. When things are dark, we can praise God and trust His character.
Second, we can trust in the reliability of God’s word. The second verse of “The Hope of Ages” begins with an important truth. “His Word is the answer, For all generations, It will never be tainted, It will never be broken.” This is an important reminder for us at a time when it can feel like everything is broken and everyone is tainted.
In Proverbs 30:5, the writer offers a similar word of encouragement. “Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.”
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We often feel cynical, disappointed, and vulnerable because those we looked to for protection abandoned and betrayed us. Yet, God’s word is true. Some translations render the word “true” as “pure” or “flawless.” That’s why we can trust God’s word during a cynical time.
Third, we can remember God’s promise to build His church. In the song’s first verse, we hear, “The Church He is building, Nothing can stop it, It’s a city that’s shining, A light in the darkness.”
In addition to promising in Matthew 16 that the gates of hell would not conquer the Church, Jesus spoke of how his followers would make a difference in a dark, cynical world. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden…let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
While we live in an age of cynicism, we are also people of hope. We know the Hope of the Ages. Our trust is in Him and Him alone. When it feels like everything else around us is shaking, we need a reminder like the song “Hope of the Ages” to point us to the One who cannot be shaken.
Scott Savage is a pastor, author, and speaker with the best last name in the world. Scott’s writing helps you laugh, challenges you to think, and invites you to grow. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona, and watches lots of football with his wife and three kids. You can learn more about Scott’s new free resource, The Gratitude Muscle Challenge, at scottsavagelive.com.
