It has been said “that we can live 40 days without food, 8 days without water, 4 minutes without air, but only a few seconds without hope.” What is it about hope that makes it so essential to our lives? Obviously, it is far more than wishful thinking or having an optimistic outlook. The dictionary helps us by defining the idea of hope as “a desire supported by some confidence of its fulfillment”. It is an attitude of positive anticipation for what is to come, isn’t it? It is what allows us to creatively and enthusiastically look forward to the future.
When you think about some of your favorite heroes in Scripture, you will often read about the hope that they had in God. Abraham found himself in a humanly impossible situation, but “he hoped against hope” that what God promised would really happen. In the Psalms David often expressed that it was his hope in the Lord that enabled him to face danger, disappointment and depression. Reminding himself of God’s faithfulness and goodness is what gave him hope. As Jeremiah lamented over the exile of his people and their rebellion against God, he reminded himself “that it is good to hope and quietly wait for the salvation that comes from the Lord”. All those who have and continue to put their trust in the “God of Hope” will never be put to shame. That is the reason that the writers of the New Testament epistles could write their letters of encouragement to the believers who were often facing intense persecution and troubles.
What was true for the believers centuries ago, is still true today! God knows all about the plans that He has for us – to give us a future and a hope.
The Promise for A FUTURE and A HOPE Jeremiah 29: 11
