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Rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:13b, NKJV
One of my daughter’s favorite hobbies is building and playing with Legos. Last Christmas she had her heart set on one particular, rather large Lego kit. It was an airplane with a small collection of figurines and other miscellaneous pieces. A few days before Christmas she came to me and very sweetly said, “Daddy, do you know what I hope I get for Christmas? I really hope I get the Lego airplane, that would be really cool.”
When we use the word ‘hope’ in everyday conversation, we’re usually talking about a future desire whose outcome is uncertain. Some examples include hoping to land a job offer, to perform well at an athletic competition, or to receive good news from a medical procedure. All of these examples, like my daughter’s hope for the airplane Lego set, are a deep longing for a future event whose certainty is unknown.
But, in the Bible, ‘hope’ is very different. True, biblical hope is still a deep longing for something in the future that’s not yet been received. However, biblical hope is different because it is rooted in expectation. The thing hoped for, though still future and not yet received, is as sure as yesterday’s sunrise. We can be sure it will come to pass because it doesn’t depend on life circumstances, world events, or the voluntary actions of other people—it depends only on the always-faithful character of our never-changing God.
When we become discouraged because our hopes have failed, it’s important to remember the truth that God is always good. We might not appreciate what seems to be lacking. We may even be angered at the way circumstances and events have unfolded. But God’s plan for each of us is much bigger and better than our own plans for our lives.
The next time personal hopes lead to disappointment, let it be a reminder to draw near to God, focusing your heart and mind on His priorities. Reaffirm your hope of eternal life with Him, knowing that such hope is sure—because He who promises is faithful.
Further Reflection
Numbers 23:19; Proverbs 16:9; Jeremiah 29:11; Philippians 1:3–6; Hebrews 10:23
Mediation and Prayer
The Solid Rock
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Refrain:
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
In ev’ry rough and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the vale.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay. [Refrain]
Not earth, nor hell, my soul can move;
I rest upon unchanging love.
I trust his righteous character,
His counsel, promise, and his pow’r. [Refrain]
When he shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in him be found,
Dressed in his righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne. [Refrain]1
- The Solid Rock, words by Edward Mote 1834, music by William B. Bradbury, 1863, Public Domain. ↩
