Anchored Hope: Day 2

Day 2: What Kind of Hope Are You Holding

Scripture“O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood.” Psalm 71:5 Read the whole chapter for context

Reflection: Not all hope is the same. There is a kind of hope that says, I hope things get better. I hope this year looks different. I hope I get what I am longing for. This kind of hope is often tied to outcomes and circumstances. It is a hope often tied to selfish ambition and what we get out of it.

Biblical hope is different. It is not dependent on what happens around us. It is grounded in who God is. Scripture calls hope a virtue because it contains no doubt. It trusts fully in God’s faithfulness, whether circumstances are good or hard. It is a hope that comes from keeping our eyes on the "author and finisher of our faith" Heb 12:2." We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne."

Worldly hope shifts and fades. It is easily shaken when life does not go as planned. But hope placed in God is steady and secure. It does not deny pain or difficulty. Instead, it declares that God is present, faithful, and working even when we cannot see it.

How do we get here? How do we reach the point where our hope and faith are in God alone? While the answer is simply stated, the action can be challenging. It is done by fixing our eyes on things above(Col 3:1-2 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. ² Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.), by keeping our eyes on Jesus(Heb 12:2), by remembering that His perfect will will come to pass (Eph 1:11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God,^[a] for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.). It is done by pressing on toward the goal that is heavenward (Phil 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.)

Hope is trusting God even when we can't see, and we are a people who want to see.

As you begin this year, it is worth asking yourself what kind of hope you are holding. Is your hope attached to outcomes, timelines, or people, or is it rooted in the unchanging character of God

Reflect

How do you typically respond when plans fall apart?

What would change if your hope were fully rooted in God?  

What about God and his character do you not trust?      

PrayerLord, You alone are my hope. Help me release the things I have been clinging to and place my trust fully in You. Remind me of who you are. Teach me to hope with confidence, not fear. Amen.