Hope

“I hope he likes me”.  “I hope she says yes”.  “I hope you feel better soon”.  These and others like them are the “hopes” of wishful thinking. Biblical hope goes beyond wishful thinking; it is a confident expectation based entirely upon God’s faithfulness.  Biblical hope is trusting in things we have not yet seen and believing  what God says is true.  This hope is a living hope which comes only through Jesus Christ and His resurrection. (1 Peter 1:3)

As a Christian I can experience peace and joy, even in the midst of trials, because I have hope in Christ and assurance of eternal life through His death and resurrection. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit living within me that my hope is overflowing. (Romans 15:13)  I know that my eternal life in Heaven is secure even if everything in this life seems to be heading in the wrong direction.  I believe that my non-verbal, autistic son will speak, sing, run, laugh, and dance because of the faith and hope (confident expectation) I have in things not seen (see Hebrews 11:1).

Sometimes I lose focus of this Biblical hope.  I know when this happens because my peace and joy are missing.  It is a miserable and lonely feeling.  There is a quick fix for this, however. It is opening up the Word of God.  When I put Scripture before my eyes the Holy Spirit breathes hope back into my heart.  I experience, again, the overflowing hope found only in our Father God.  My peace and joy are restored and my spirit is renewed.

 I believe that the enemy (Satan) comes to steal our hope, peace, and joy.  He tries, anyway.  But let me remind you that he is already defeated.  So, I  encourage you to read the Word of God daily so that you are continually filled with the living hope of Jesus Christ and with His peace and joy. 

“Heavenly Father, we come before You now with confident expectation of the many promises written in Your Word.  We praise You, Lord, for Your faithfulness.  Keep Your Word ever before our eyes.  May Your Holy Spirit fill us with peace and joy as we trust in You.  Protect us from the enemy’s attacks.  In Jesus Name we pray.  Amen.”

Kami R. Lobner

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