While praying and journaling one day I wondered when I should give up hope on something. But then I stopped and wondered why I would ever give up hope. I believe in a God who can do all things, so my hope should never end. When the Bible talks about hope it often talks about hope in the Lord. (You are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. — Ps. 25:5 May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you. — Ps. 25:21 And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. — Romans 5:2-5)
My hope is in the Lord alone. It’s in the promise of salvation and redemption that I have been given. Hope is something that we can trust will happen because it has been promised us. There are lots of things in the world that I want or desire, but nothing compares to the hope I have of spending eternity with Jesus.
I brought these thoughts to my cell group and we talked about how the word hope is used in different ways. “I hope you have a good day.” “I hope I get a free lunch.” “I hope I pass the test.” But in light of hope in the Lord, these are just whims. We decided that Christians should reclaim the word hope, reserving it for the Great Hope that we have in the Lord. Now when I’m speaking or writing to people I find other ways to express my wishes for them. It’s a small thing, but that discipline reminds me of the great hope that is stronger than anything that I may desire. In Jesus, I have all the hope I need. May you place your hope in the Lord today and everyday.
This was really important for me to hear today. Particularly because I am losing hope that the war in Iraq will end soon. And I’m losing motivation to resist it anymore. It was on my mind this morning, thank you for sharing.
Hope is one of those words we should reclaim. I am an Obama supporter. I do believe in the capacity for change through the voice of the people, if we demand it, if we make it happen. I am ok with his call for this kind of engagement. I still can’t bring myself to put the blue and red sticker, with Obama’s face and the word HOPE in my window, because i just don’t feel like that’s where the honor is due.
I am glad to be reminded that, while my vote may go for Obama, my HOPE is in a sovereign God.