Hope - Part 1

Society tells us that hope, wish and dream are all interchangeable words. Little girls are taught to dream about their future mate, wish for the perfect career and hope for all the good things in life.

Each of those well-meaning practices take salvation and the Good News of Jesus Christ out of the picture. All of the future is left to chance and good intentions, regardless of heart condition.

True hope, Christian hope, has two simple components - the good and the future. The good is eternal life with Jesus. The future is for all eternity. This earthly world has nothing that compete with those two truths.

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Romans 8:24-25

The circumstances of the day can be ruthless. Events beyond our control take their toll on our minds and hearts. People disappoint us, activities deplete us and situations discourage us.

But the Christian has hope. Today is not forever. This world is not our home. Our current state of affairs is not eternal. With those truths in mind we can look past the bleak present and see the bright future.

For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope. Acts 2:25-26

I cannot hope in people because human beings are imperfect.
I cannot hope in government because nations, republics and democracies fail.
I cannot hope in circumstances because situations change.

I can hope in the second coming of Jesus Christ.
I can hope in spending eternity with my Lord and Saviour.
I can hope in joy unspeakable.

We serve a living God Who has made promises that we can hope in. He has never failed nor forsaken us, and that brings hope for the future. He has given us examples of His grace and mercy every day, and they bring us hope.

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.

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