Hope

As Christians, there are things we can enjoy that the world cannot. One thing we can enjoy is hope. A hope of a heavenly home after this life if we obey God's word. The world, however, doesn't share this hope. The world spends their time chasing worldly lusts and worldly gain, while the Christian knows his prize is not of this world, thanks to hope.

There are many verses in the Bible where we can read of hope. The psalmist writes in Psalms 39:7, "And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you." He goes on to say in Psalms 71:5, "For You are my hope, O Lord God; You are my trust from my youth."

We know our faith is built on hope. A verse we're all familiar with, Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." And based on this hope we read about in Hebrews, Romans 8:24 tell us, "For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?"

How important is our hope? In Paul's first letter to the Church at Corinth, he tells them in the 13th chapter that love is the greatest gift. But while encouraging them to love, Paul says in 1 Cor 13:13, "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." To be grouped together with love and faith shows us how important hope is to the Christian.

There are many, many verses talking about hope and the different kinds of hope. These were just a few thoughts that came to my mind on hope. Our hope is a gift we can enjoy, knowing that when our race is run, we can have a home in Heaven if we remain faithful to God's word.     

- Jordan Hopkins