We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.
- Romans 5:3-6 (NLT)
I was in a meeting recently and the speaker’s words regarding “hope” resonated with me.
As people of God, we choose to live in hope. We are blessed to have the free will to make a decision to believe in a risen savior. The Savior chose us and we chose to accept his call to follow him. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be confident in the hope that Christ has brought to those who believe.
Hope is not something we long for.
Why would we long for hope when it has been granted us through our faith? If we are longing for hope in our lives, are we truly trusting in God?
Hope is not right around the corner from us.
Hope is not something that we think will come to us.
Hope is now.
Hope has an address in you.
Hope lives in us and our hope reflects into a world that is searching for hope amidst the chaos that surrounds so many lives.
Hope does live in us as followers of Jesus.
Jesus reminds us that he came to give us life.
Without Christ, we might be hoping that everything will be alright.
With Christ, we are confident in the hope found in the Lord.
We are confident of a salvation found in our loving God.
In Romans, Paul extends hope to each one of us—a hope so powerful that it can both calm our fears and move us to give thanks. That hope is built on the truth that even though we are powerless and sinful, Christ died for us. And there’s more: Christ rose again from the dead. So our hope is forged out of death’s destruction, out of Christ’s victory over the grave. There’s no greater hope in this world.
The darkness and uncertainties in the world around us do not get the final word. God does. And God reaches out with life-renewing love to us. So let’s live this day with hope, giving thanks for Christ, our Savior!
Written By: Jim Love