Our Hope

Titus1:1 ¶ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

When I was having a particularly difficult time I received the following encouragement from an email friend:

"We sometimes put our hope in anything that looks like an improvement because we want it so badly, and then when it doesn't happen our hopes are crushed. We need to put our hope in God who is more stable than (our circumstances), and who never changes and you can rely on..."

God often will emphasize the lessons He wants me to learn by either repeating it or expanding on it in some way. This time was no different.

The Sunday following this sage advice, our pastor spoke on the topic of "Our Eternal Hope". He expanded on the hope we have in God. Here is part of what he said:

Our hope is a living, eternally secure hope.
It was

1. Predestined by God--Ephesians 1: 4-7 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
2. Promised by God--Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; Hebrews 10:23--Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
3. Purchased by God--Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
4. Preserved by God--Philippians 1:6 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
   

Are you having a tough time lately? Are things not going the way you thought they would? Have you had a temporary improvement in circumstances only to head back downhill again? When we place our hope in God instead of improvements in our circumstances, then our joy can't be stolen when things go wrong. I know it is all easier said than done, but God will help us as we come to Him and ask for His help. He has promised grace in our weakness. We just need to lean on that grace. 2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Dear Father, So often I find myself getting excited over improvements in circumstances only to have my hopes crushed when things suddenly take a turn for the worst. I need Your grace and help to place my hope in You alone...my unchanging Rock and fortress. Amen.