Good morning. Hope is powerful. We know that to be true on many levels and in many circumstances. It is clearly an important truth for us as we live our lives in expectant hope because of our salvation in Jesus Christ.
The power of sin is destruction. It destroys the sinner, wracking him or her with guilt and shame and wreaking havoc through the daily battles over the present consequences of sinful choices. The power of sin doesn’t end there, however. We read in Romans 8:20-25 that sin’s destructive power is felt throughout all of creation, but we also read that this destruction is overcome for the faithful by the power of hope: For creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hopethat the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.For we know that the whole of creation has been groaning together as if in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
In this passage we better understand the nature of hope. What is hoped for is not able to be seen with physical sight but becomes clear when hope leads us in a godly expectation of blessing. We read of the power of hope to overcome fear and disappointment because it is with hope that we walk with Christ in expectation of our salvation. We read that hope instills patience as we wait for the promised blessings to be realized.
We also read of the power of hope in Romans 15:13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
The power of hope includes the blessings of joy and peace, and the power of hope is revealed in the power of the Spirit of God so that our hope will not be limited but inspired.
Hope is not the granting of a favor, nor is it a wish that somehow comes true. Hope is greater, more powerful than that. Hope is recognizing and accepting the love and the power of God. Hope, when it is engaged and fully empowered, is not about wishing, it is about knowing. Therefore, hope is not limited by our imagination. Hope is magnified within the power and will of God. Think of Matthew the tax collector. He was a sinner, despised by every decent person with whom he came in contact. He knew that Jesus was going to walk by, and he hoped that he might catch a glimpse of Him. Never could he imagine that Jesus would go far beyond his little, hopeful thought. Jesus would reach out to him, claim him, make him a disciple, trust him, save him, trust him, and love him. This was far more than he could ever imagine let alone hope for.
Please, join me in hopeful expectation today. Hopefully expect God’s blessing today.
Vern