Bright Hope for Tomorrow, part 2
by Pastor David
Do you get disappointed? A lot? Does it seem like no one, from your spouse to the electrician, can keep a promise to you? That no matter how much you lower your expectations, life can still do the limbo even lower? You’re in good company if your hopes are constantly being dashed. Along with the rest of humanity, you are experiencing the inevitable result of living in a fallen world. Besides a world that is entirely incapable of giving us what we long for most, we also tend to stake our hope in shifting sand. For that too, there is good news.
What should we hope in? We can hope in the reality that one day we will be completely righteous, not because of our work but through the Spirit by faith. “For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. (Galatians 5:5) We can hope that the glories of Heaven await us. “...because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, (Colossians 1:5). We can hope in eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began” (Titus 1:2).
Beyond hope in new circumstances, however, we can hope in Jesus Himself. Isaiah prophesied, “‘Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.’” (Matt. 12:21) Romans 15:12 adds, “And again Isaiah says, ‘The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.’”
Where can we get our hope? The resurrection of Jesus gives us hope from the past. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3) The return of Jesus gives us hope for the future. “... set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:13) Every page of Scripture is intended for our hope. “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)
Because of the certainty of Scripture and the greatness of Christ, we can confidently expect to have hope no matter what our circumstances and echo Paul’s prayer for the Roman church. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)