Hope runs through the veins of the Bible, and yet it is not a word we hear used with any real meaning in day-to-day secular conversation. Perhaps people who do not believe in Christ do not know where true hope comes from or where to place their hope. Maybe they do not dare to hope that difficult situations will turn out well.
What is the source of our Christian hope? Paul gives the answer in his letter to the Thessalonians. Hope itself is born from the love and grace of God and Jesus Christ. Together with this hope with its source in Christ, we can also know his eternal encouragement.
Christian hope is a kind of window we can look out of from our present circumstances to gaze on a blessed and positive future.
Is seems that hope is-or is supposed to be-a natural human emotion. Though it may often be quenched in trying situations, hope lies within the subconscious of most human beings.
But if true hope comes from Jesus, how do we tap into that source of hope? When can we know hope that truly comes from Christ? "And so we boast of the hope we have of sharing God's glory! We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God's approval, and his approval creates hope. This hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to us." (Romans 5:2-5)
According to this passage, the starting point for our hope is in troubles, in suffering. Of course, we should not enter into suffering to try and ultimately obtain hope. As human beings we will inevitably encounter many trials and tribulations, sufferings as well as successes. To rejoice in our sufferings is to continue to praise God regardless of what we are going through. It is this attitude that will eventually result in hope. Such hope comes from knowing God, his love and faithfulness regardless of the depths that we travel through in life. Hope that is obtained in such a way is an incredible thing. It does not disappoint.
When we have put our faith in Christ, we then have every reason to hope. Such hope is eternal and will not disappoint us. Can we as Christians afford to take our hope from anywhere else or place our hope in anyone else?
- 2 NOVEMBER -