Hope in Christ

"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11

Hard times have not only shaken my hope, but they’ve allowed me to see I often misplace my hope. Sometimes, I experience disappointment because I have put my hope in material things, in money, a job and even in success.  But the apostle Paul had a different claim, “Hope in Christ does not disappoint.”  That’s good advice from a man who had many reasons to despair throughout his life. He often found himself hungry, naked, shipwrecked, beaten and imprisoned. Instead of losing all hope, Paul preached to his soul, like the Psalmist did in the verse above. They both chose to put hope in God alone. No matter the outcome, Paul was not disappointed.

In our lives, we may lose hope, but the God of all hope has not lost us. That’s when it’s especially important to cling tightly to the truth of 2 Corinthians 4:8, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.”  

While trouble may surround us, we are not alone. When we feel hedged in by doubt, we can remember we have a Helper, who is our great support. God is our hope. We don’t have to be perplexed, uncertain or concerned about our future. He has promised to deliver us.

We experience deliverance from hopelessness by remembering Christ’s counsel. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Jesus is saying that financial trouble will come, health will falter, children may rebel, and loved ones will die … but He has overcome it all. Christ is bigger than any trouble you and I face.

I am learning to give up the illusion of a trouble-free life. In this fallen world, it’s just not possible. Desiring a life unmarked by pain and problems is misplaced hope. God never promised we’d be happy and healthy. No. He promised if we would trust Him in the midst of adverse circumstances, we would not be disappointed. That, my friends, is a hope we can hold on to.Dear Lord, I’m finished and done with putting my hope in people, things, and position. Today, I’m putting my hope in You alone. Even if my circumstances don’t change, I will trust You to fill me with Your peace and provide the strength I need to make it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Casey Dacus
Graham, TX