Every day I am reminded of how in this world and our society there is less and less on which we can hope.  We cannot trust our political leaders, our economy, our educational system.  People not only sense the hopelessness in which they live but they are beginning to sense their own personal hopelessness.  Where are we to turn for hope?

Believers in Jesus the Christ would immediately turn to Jesus for hope and peace.  This would be their advice to anyone who is in need of encouragement.  Jesus is the only one able and willing to bring a sense of hope out of our hopeless world.  He is the Almighty who is faithful.

Psalm 146:5-6

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, 

who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; 

As the Faithful One, the Almighty One, Jesus has the solutions to all our problems.  He is able to meet all the needs of our life.  This is true no matter what the situation or its circumstances.  He will surely guide us through life.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 

The grace of Jesus is available to all who call on Him.  Not only is His grace available but it is more than sufficient in every way and every need.  He bids us to come to Him in our time of need. 

2Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 

The grace of Jesus abounds abundantly to believers.  It washes over His followers in quantities more than we ask for or can even imagine.

Ephesians 3:20

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 

King David beautifully expressed ones hope in the LORD in Psalm 34.

1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 

2  My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 

3  Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! 

4  I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 

5  Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 

6  This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 

7  The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 

8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 

9 Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! 

The only hope in life radiates from Jesus Himself.  His grace is glorious and faithful.  A person who places their faith in Jesus the Christ and is forgiven of their sins is full of hope.  A person who believes in the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus the Christ lives each day in perpetual hope.  This hope is rooted deeply in belief in Jesus and His Holy Word.

1 Peter 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

When the storms of life howl against believers there is hope.  Hope holds them securely on tumultuous days.  Days filled with trouble can seem to be overwhelming but in hope they can be overcome when faith is tethered to Jesus.

Hebrews 6:19-20

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 

where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. 

Jesus endured and persevered through the agony of the cross having His hope and trust in His heavenly Father.  He would not be moved from the truth that His Father was with Him and would fulfill His Holy Word.  His hope anchored Him in the will of the Father.  Believers who are walking in the Spirit full of hope can likewise endure and persevere abounding in His grace.

1 Thessalonians 1:3

 Remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our hope founded firmly in Jesus is reflected in the chorus ‘In the Name of the Lord’,

There is strength in the name of the Lord;

There is power in the name of the Lord;

There is hope in the name of the Lord;

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Trust in the LORD, place your hope in Him and be richly blessed with His abounding grace today.  Live firmly rooted in your faith in Jesus.  May it provide you with a living peace in Jesus each day keeping you abiding in Jesus’ perfect love.

For Jesus’ Kingdom,

Brother Hugh Folds

Romans 14:17