Hopeful
This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope (Lam.3.21).
The last string that keeps life together for some is hope. A hopeless person has a very slim chance of survival. But for the believer, hope is the confident expectation of the fulfilment of God’s promises with strength in His faithfulness to perform it. It is an integral part of the Faith journey. Through hope, there is anticipation of a better future. This expectation is so strong that it is cast in stone. It does not depend on you but on God, who brings to pass every promise He made.
According to John Piper, “hope is a reservoir of emotional strength.” When there is hope, forgiveness becomes easier. When there is hope, faith becomes easier to express. Hope is the lifeline of the pursuit of the believer. To lack hope is to shrink in faith as they both have strong relationships. Hope anticipates the future while giving meaning to the present. It is also the fuel upon which we run in the times of adversity.
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance (Ps.42.5).
Looking through the experiences of life through the lens of hope can reveal something different from the reality. It is the way the saints processed their trials and pains. When hope is activated, present sufferings are considered light afflictions compared to the weight of glory that is ahead. Let hope rise within you again, for you shall yet praise the Lord. Amen.
© Olusola John.