HOPE

Someone has has that there are no hopeless situations, only people who have grown hopeless about them.

It is illustrated in a true story about a town in a valley that was to be flooded due to the construction of a new dam. Halford Luccock explains - "In the months before it was to be flooded, all improvements and repairs in the whole town were stopped. What was the use of painting a house if it were to be covered with water in six months? Why repair anything when the whole village was to be wiped out? So, week by week, the whole town became more and more bedraggled, more gone to seed, more woebegone. Then he added by way of explanation: 'Where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present.'"

Each one of us is looking for contentment and happiness in this life. Sometimes unfulfilled dreams lead us to desolate places where hope is lost. Things don't turn out the way we had planned. Time to do the things we hoped to do runs out. Our health, our opportunity, and our ability to change our circumstances can be lost as the days pass us by.

But perhaps hope is not what we have made it out to be. Perhaps hope is only hope when things seem hopeless. Perhaps hope is merely flattery if it cannot change the future. Perhaps hope is only real when it exists in the face of nothingness.

The greatness of Abraham and his faith is explained in that he, "contrary to hope, in hope believed" (Rom. 4:18). Another version says, "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed." Hope is confident and joyful expectation in the promises of God.

In 1882, Priscilla Owens rightly penned these words with regard to hope: "We have an anchor that keeps the soul;Steadfast and sure while the billows roll; Fastened to the Rock which cannot move; Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love." Christians have so much for which to hope. Hope is our consolation. Hope is our refuge. Hope is our soon to be fulfilled salvation (Heb. 6:18).

Therefore, hope! Because there are no hopeless situations. Nothing is impossible with God!

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." ~ Romans 15:13