Hope

Each week, I listen online to the sermon from a church in Nashville, TN, Crosspoint Church. Currently, the pastor, Pete Wilson, is preaching a series of sermons entitled Hope Now. This sermon series has made me start thinking more about hope. Recently, I changed my ringtone on my phone to the song with the same title by the group, Addison Road. Every time my phone rings, I think about hope. This morning as I was getting dressed, I thought about all of the many ways I use the word hope throughout the day.

I hope it doesn't rain.

I hope this works out.

I hope you can understand.

But those things aren't the hope that I should have. That kind of hope is failing. That kind of hope is measureable. I have a hope that is unfailing and unmeasurable. My hope is in God alone! So, I made a list.

• I don't have to put my hope in coincidence, because I put my hope in the creator of all things.
• I don't have to put my hope in circumstance, because I put my hope in the God of providence.
• I don't have to put my hope in love from another human being, because I put my hope in God's agape love for me as evidenced by Calvary.
• I don't have to put my hope in the stock market, because I put my hope in the giver of all good things.
• I don't have to put my hope in the kindness of others, because I put my hope in my Abba Father.
• I don't have to put my hope in medicine, because I put my hope in my healer, Jehovah Rapha.
• I don't have to put my hope in science, because I put my hope in my omnipotent God and creator.
• I don't have to put my hope in the universe, because I put my hope in an omniscient and omnipresent God.
• I don't have to put my hope in my own abilities, because I put my hope in the Spiritual Gift giver.
• I don't have to put my hope in my own wisdom, because I put my hope in the Holy Spirit.
• I don't have to put my hope in my job or in money, because I put my Hope in the Lord, my Sustainer.

Where does your hope lie?

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
And when the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free!

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