S135P1 – The promise of hope: satisfying
Rom. 5:1-5
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
We can place our hope in many things. I used to work in an office where I was asked to contribute a few dollars a week into the Powerball pool. I refused to do so because it seemed like a foolish way to throw away my money. I had no hope in the office winning even a dollar in the lottery. Not surprisingly, the immediate response to my refusal was for some colleagues to talk about how horrible I would feel if they won without me. Silly as it sounds, some of them had a real hope of winning some significant amount of money from their efforts. I no longer work in that office, but many of them still do, and no one has hit the jackpot yet. For those with a real hope of winning, their hope has taken their money and left them disappointed.
Paul speaks about our “hope of the glory of God”. This could seem cryptic to some, but the scriptures tells us that Jesus is the brightness of the Father’s glory, the image of his person. [Heb. 1:1-4] Our hope is in Jesus Christ, and there is a process of refinement by which that hope is produced. Some might look at this process and not want to endure the tribulations that bring about perseverance, character and hope. However, Paul lets us know the this hope is worth it because it does not disappoint. This hope of ours in Jesus Christ is reliable and secure. It brings what it professes to bring. This is not blind hope in an outcome that could or could not come about. This is hope in a guarantee of freedom and salvation that does not disappoint.
When we peruse the scriptures to learn all the facets of this hope we have, we must understand that every promise will be satisfied. These are not mere possibilities. When we hope in what the world might bring us, we risk being left empty handed. In fact, even if our hope of riches or worldly success is achieved, those things are guaranteed to pass away. The difference is not only between hoping for the possible and hoping for the certain, but it is between hoping for the temporary and hoping for the eternal. Father, help us to endure and glory in the process which produces hope, and to make sure our hope remains in that which is eternal and sure.