The God of Hope

Our world is so dark spiritually. Even a short time spent looking at the news and social media is a quagmire of human brokenness, corruption, and depravity. Depression is rampant. We all need some hope. Fortunately, the Scripture says that God is a God of hope. The Apostle Paul writes “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). Don’t we all want to “overflow with hope?” What are some ways that God can give us hope? Let’s use the acrostic H.O.P.E. to remind ourselves of just a few ways that God offers us hope.
H. IS FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT. The third member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit indwells the believer. We are not alone. We are filled with power. We now contain the very source of joy and peace within us. There is some mystery here, but the Holy Spirit works from the inside out to transform our lives making us people of hope. Like a sailboat we are not the power source but we partner with the power source; we “trim the sails” cooperating with the Holy Spirit to move forward in our lives.
O. IS FOR OTHERS. God does not just save us individually but puts us in a family of believers. While flawed, the church is a remarkable family that protects, encourages, and challenges us in ways that enable us to grow and thrive as God intended. I see this blessing in our church when a group from Journey helps one of the others move. Or after having a baby some individuals from the church bring a few meals just to be helpful and encouraging. I see men meeting regularly challenging each other to live lives of mental purity. Life in a faith family provides partners for living a life of holiness. When we fall down there is someone to help us get up again.
P. IS FOR PRAYER. The God of hope fills you with all joy and peace as you trust in him . .. (Romans 15:13). One of the most basic ways that I trust in God is to bring almost everything to Him in prayer. Our church offers a daily prayer meeting at 7 a.m. each morning. This is a regular part of my daily routine. In it we bring God our victories and our heartbreaks. We pray for those facing cancer and those who have lost loved ones. We bring our troubles to the Lord and to each other. We have seen profound miracles and moments where God is silent but we choose to trust Him in everything. We know He is for us (Romans 8:31). We know He works all things together for our good (Romans 8:38). Prayer to God is a beautiful expression of trust in God and brings
us hope.
E. IS FOR ETERNITY. I have personally officiated at many funerals over thirty years of ministry. Christian funerals are moving and beautifully marinated in hope. We believe that God, not death gets the last word. My father’s final season was marred by Alzheimer’s disease but today in heaven his mind is clear. I have a back injury that hurts every day, I long for the new resurrection body that believers are promised that is pain free. Many of us have Christian grandparents, parents or friends that have preceded us into death that we desire to see again; someday we will! That desire is not just wishful thinking, but a confident expectation based on the promises of God. Life is heavy. But the Christian hope is powerful and transformative. When Jesus walked out of his own grave He became the poster boy for hope. The resurrection reveals that death is a defeated enemy. For the Christian, death is not the end but a new beginning. Like a baby in the womb, leaving a place of darkness and entering a new reality of light, color and endless possibilities.

I for one am grateful we serve a God of hope.

Pastor Derek Dickinson