Dare to Hope!
When we consider ‘hope’, one would likely think about the future. That is where most people put their hope. We hope for all sorts of things. We hope that we are prosperous and productive. We hope we have good health. We hope that our children and their children will have prosperity and success. It is our hope that our future is fortified with security and stability. We hope that our years on earth are fruitful and plentiful. We hope and hope and hope some more.
The biggest thing about hope is that even the best made plans are subjected to unexpected conditions that happen to affect our hopes. This is usually where people cross over into fear. This is where most of the world lives. Many people fear the worst. They think about the adverse conditions of the world and they begin to dread. They consider the political scene and become distressed. Some live in environments where it is difficult to see encouragement. As a result, they allow fear to cloud their hope.
You see, when people don’t know the Lord or their walk of faith is faltered, they cannot lean on God the way they should. That is what makes the difference when it comes to hope. In 1 Samuel 17, David was no more than a boy who took a handful of stones and ran to face the giant, Goliath. Through the entire account, not once did David fear or dread the coming conflict with the giant because his faith was where it should be and his hope was in the Lord. With confidence, he hurled the stone from his sling and cracked the giant right in his forehead.
You see, David, as many others icons of the Bible, did not fear the future because they knew it was in God’s hands. They had faith that God would protect and deliver them from any adversary or difficult situation. This is why Paul wrote in Romans 5:1-2;
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Paul had his trials and sufferings but he knew that his faith in God was greater. Such faith produces great hope. Paul wasn’t alarmed about the future, even when facing hunger, beatings, abandonment, and even death. He had faith that he was in God’s hand and he hoped in the best according to God’s will for his life and the Kingdom of God. The Lord promised to help us and protect us as we exercise our faith in him. Look at Isaiah 41:10 as God says;
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
So when we face the fires, or come against giants, or if there are lions waiting in the den; do not fear: God is with us. There is a future with hope when we place our hope in the Lord.
There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18