Hope

Franklin D. Roosevelt, our 32nd President of the United States, said this about the future and hope – “We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon.” Former President of South Africa and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela eloquently expresses, “Our human compassion binds us the one to the other – not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learned how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.” These great men were expecting a better life now and trusting present circumstances will improve. Sometimes when people hear the word hope, it is with a mindset of wishful thinking, or it could be better, but not with much conviction or trust it will happen.

Due to our limitations as humans, it is easy to have this outlook because we do not know the future (Ecclesiastes 8:7). However, as Christ-followers, we are given a hope that is with truthful expectations and certainty – it is the basis of our faith (Hebrews 11:1). As followers of the King, we are to look at the future with great expectations, not because life will get easier but for the fact we have “our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe” (1Timothy 4:10b, CSB). The hope and confidence Christians have is our salvation in Jesus and the promise all things will be made new (Revelation 21:3-5a). Thank You, Lord Jesus.