Hope

My Father has been teaching me about hope. 

In prosperous times and difficult times, my source of hope is my anchor. When people fail me, when circumstances look grim, or even when God doesn’t show up the way I wanted Him to, I am tempted to lose hope. Disappointment comes when the object of my hope fails.

In prosperous seasons, it is so tempting to overlook the existence of hardship. Hope doesn’t seem like a big deal until life gets hard. I absolutely believe God blesses His people, but Jesus prophesied that his followers would face troubles in this life. It is inevitable in this fallen world. If we choose to hope in the God who gives and takes away, we will not feel lost when seasons change. Hope carries us forward so we don’t fall prey to despair.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

John 16:33 (NIV)

In his mercy, God let us know exactly what to expect: insecurity from the world, steadfast love from God. Because Jesus has overcome the world, it is safe to put our hope in Him. Hope says, “God has done and He will do again.” Hope says, “God’s plan is for my good.” Hope is one step beyond faith. 

“and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” 

Romans 5:5 (NASB)

Have you read the story of Job? It’s pretty miserable from a hopeless point of view. Job's life, however, is a testimony to the power of true hope. At the first signs of trouble, Job’s immediate response was to fall on his knees and worship God. Not even extreme suffering could crush his hope, because he knew God’s character. He knew that the goodness of God is not lessened by the temporary troubles of this world.

If Job, a man who lived before Jesus tore the veil, could place his hope in an unseen God, how much more should we hope in Him today! We have a privilege that Job didn’t have — direct relationship with the Maker of the universe. How much easier it is to hope in Emmanuel — God with us!

God is a good Father. In times of uncertainty, Jesus is constant. In suffering or prosperity, He is faithful. These are promises He has given us which will never disappoint us - we can hope in them! It is simple truth we must stand upon in faith. Truth transforms our minds and offers fresh perspective, but Hope steadies our souls. 

The more I seek the Lord, the more apparent it is to me that He loves us. He just does. The gospel, put simply, is His magnificent plan to restore the broken relationship between man and God. He wants us to be with Him forever, so He sent Jesus to overcome the only thing standing in the way: death. Christianity isn't a religious bandaid to cover a hopeless situation. To be a Christ-follower means having a joyful expectation of something unseen yet guaranteed: eternity with a God who passionately loves us.

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)