Knowing God: A Living Hope

 

Every day we have hope and expectations. We desire an attainment of something good, or the feeling that something will be true.

“I hope it doesn’t rain for our hike.”

“My hope is to graduate in four years.”

These statements are good, but they place hope in people, things, or events.

Sometimes we look for hope in the wrong places and get discouraged or disillusioned. Hope becomes just an ordinary word in a sentimental song.

Living hope comes from God, through Jesus.

Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we can have a living hope—one that is certain and real, not false. It believes the promises of God. A living hope looks forward to what God has planned—not only in our daily lives, but in the future.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… 1 Peter 1:3 NIV

Through him (Jesus) you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.  1 Peter 1:21 NIV

God is the source of hope who gives us true hope for today and the future.

Several years ago when I felt discouragement in the middle of a season of uncertainty, the Lord impressed a verse on my heart. I wrote it on a notecard and taped it to my car’s dashboard. Every time I started the car I repeated it. Eventually I memorized it and it became rooted in my spirit.

May the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

This helped me have a positive focus instead of a troubled heart of worry. What made the difference? Holding on to living hope.

Look to the living hope in God, believing that He will never abandon you, even when life is hard.

Even in midst of disappointment or pain, when things don’t go as you planned, hope enables us to navigate the trials of life. With hope we gain a better perspective.

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Why are you downcast O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5

Are you discouraged? Look to the source of living hope.