Hope

Results

Today, I had the privilege of hearing the testimony of someone, who is going through one of the most difficult struggles in life. They shared with me the high value of hope. By referring to the word “hope” I want to be clear that I do not mean the kind of wishful thinking expressed in the phrase, “I hope so.” This is not real hope! True hope has a basis in some reason for the trust and faith which is at the heart of all real hope. Hope that is not founded on any evidence or promise is just self delusion.

One of the reasons that our Christian faith is not a “hope so” kind of faith is because it is based on the promises and power of God. Without the promises that the Lord has made to us and the assurance which we have from His faithfulness, we would not have a reason for hope at all. But because the Lord cannot and does not lie and based on His precious and great promises, we can have hope.

Slogans

Sixteen years ago a rather youthful candidate ran for the highest office in the land on the promise of bringing hope and change. Whether or not President Obama succeeded probably depends on the judgment of the individual. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, this is what candidates are always trying to communicate to the voters. Namely, that their administration will lead the country to a more advantageous and prosperous future. The job of every person running for election to any office is to give hope that they will be able to do the job. 

Even President Trump’s now famous slogan “Make America Great Again” is conveying the hope that better days are ahead for the country under his leadership. This slogan also reminds the hearer of the nostalgic feelings associated with the good old days which increases both the desire for a return to those good times and a belief that this hope is truly possible. 

Now What?

So what should we do now? The votes have been cast and the contest is settled. First, we should pray (1 Timothy 2:1-4)! We should pray to our God acknowledging that our hope is not found in any government or political leader but the providential and sovereign reign of our true King the Lord Jesus Christ! We should pray to thank God for bringing about His will and ask that He would use the outcomes of these races for our blessing. We should ask that the Lord would give us peaceful and quiet lives from which to seek His glory through the proclamation of the gospel and the building of His church. We should pray for the end of wicked and unjust practices and laws. We should intercede for the salvation of our leaders. We should pray for the promotion of humility and wisdom among our leaders. We should pray for the physical protection of our leaders and the peace and unity of our citizens. 

When we have prayed then we should get about the business of living lives of holiness and godliness (2 Peter 2:11-13). After we have prayed for the advance of the gospel and blessing of our homes, churches, communities and nation then we should live for those ends that we have sought from the Lord. Expecting that God is pleased to answer the prayers that He has instructed us to pray in the Scriptures (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).

We should be people full of hope for what God is doing in advancing His kingdom. Remembering that we also have an eternal hope of everlasting life based on the sure promises of our Savior and King (Titus 3:4-7)!

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