Hope

Today as I sat in the Poached Pear with Meredith, I spilled my guts out and told her all that's gone on this week. It's been a rough one! Nothing bad has happened, I am just in many situations where I cannot control the outcome. She pointed out that this forces me to (and I am so thankful for it) completely trust in my all-powerful Creator who is in control and works all things for His glory and my good. She reminded me of the gospel and the fact that God is faithful and is working in my life, even through the tough times. This week has made me really think about where my hope lies. My hope is not on anything this world has to offer, but "is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness."

In high school, I remember hearing an amazing sermon from my youth pastor on hope. I do not remember much of what he said, but I found a source that has a similar message (for the full text, click here). Here's an exerpt I found especially helpful:

What's the difference between a Christian definition of hope and the way it is usually used?

The word "hope" in ordinary English vocabulary is generally distinguished from certainty. We would say, "I don't know what's going to happen, but I hope it happens."

When you read the word "hope" in the Bible (like in I Peter 1:13 - "set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ"), hope is not wishful thinking. It's not "I don't know if it's going to happen, but I hope it happens. That's absolutely not what is meant by Christian hope.

Christian hope is when God has promised that something is going to happen and you put your trust in that promise. Christian hope is a confidence that something will come to pass because God has promised it will come to pass.  -John Piper, emphases his

So to hope in God is to be fully assured that He will bring what He promised to pass. Hope is certain. Meredith reminded me that I must rest in God and His promises. When I don't have control over my circumstances it is the perfect reminder to trust in God. Hebrews 10:23 says, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." Why are we able to hope in God? Because He is faithful to fulfill His promises! If He says He'll do something, HE WILL. Here are a few of the promises we hope in.

• Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." He gives rest - rest for our souls.
• Philippians 4:19 - "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." He will provide for ALL of your needs.
• Romans 8: 37 - "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us." We can have victory over sin.
• Romans 8:38-39 - For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angles, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Nothing can take away His love from us.

I don't have much else to say about this, let alone time to say more. But I just was so encouraged by this reminder and wanted to share in case others could be encouraged, too.