Hope

When we are locked out of our familiar patterns of activity, and kept from the people we love, often a prevailing sadness may come to us. We may experience a sense of hopelessness. However, those of us who know Christ have a reassurance that is always available: it is our hope. We know that no matter what happens, we an eternity that is secure and wonderful with the Lord. The object of our hope is future but the experience of our hope is present. This hope we have in Christ is a rock that we can climb upon.

The Bible describes our hope in several ways. We have a sure hope: “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil” (Heb. 6:10). Our eternal future with our Lord in heaven is described as being sure and steadfast. It is an anchor that keeps us secure no matter what storm may come into our life. People talk about there only being two sure things: death and taxes. We who know the Lord can add the sure hope of our eternity with the Lord. We also are told that our hope is a blessed hope. Titus 2:13 tells us: “Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” This event is called the rapture. Jesus is coming and those who have placed their faith in Him will be caught up together with Him and so shall we be with Him forever. Our hope is also described as a living hope (1 Pet. 1:3). We have a living hope because we have a living Savior. It means that the believer's hope is certain, and real, as opposed to the deceptive, empty, and false hopes the world offers us. Finally our hope is a purifying hope (1 John 3:3). Because our Lord is coming and we will spend eternity with Him we should live holy and godly lives until He comes for us.

Do you have this hope? No matter what may happen in this world is your hope firmly anchored to the rock of Jesus Christ?