“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5
Webster’s dictionary defines hope as: “to cherish a desire with anticipation.”
Hope leads a woman and man to profess their love for one another and commit to a lifetime of love together. Hope gives that same couple the strength to endure nine long months before holding their child in their arms. And it is with hope in their hearts they send that same child off to college and beyond….
But what would it be like to live without hope?
In the movie Jakob the Liar, Jakob Heym is a Jewish man living in a poor Polish neighborhood during the Second World War, where suicides are common place and food is rare. There is no contact with the outside world and little reason for any hope.
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One day, unexpectedly, Jakob finds himself outside the community where he happens to hear a news broadcast. He returns to the neighborhood, and before long the place is buzzing. The community begins to throb with life as hope grows. Hope gave the people a reason to go on living.
For us as followers of Jesus, hope gives us a reason to live — really live. This hope is strong and sure; it is the anchor for our souls (Hebrews 6:19)! The pain and suffering of this world is minuscule in comparison to the glory that awaits us.
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When life has you in its cross hairs and there seems to be no respite for your weary soul, remember, there is hope. It’s not wishful thinking, but it’s a hope that is sure.
Dear God, thank You that You have given us a reason to live. When our world seems like it’s crashing in, Lord, help us to remember Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
