As I have been reflecting over these past few years there seems to be an undertone throughout our country and the world as a whole. This undertone seems to be hopelessness. People feel lost or aimless, not sure if they have a purpose in life. In research done by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University lead by Dr. George Barna they conclude from their interviews with 18-36-year old that 75% are “seeking to identify their purpose in life”. Additionally, according the CDC the suicide rates among young people has gone up 5% in 2020. Why is this? The research showed that most people have a “lack of meaning or purpose leading to a directionless, seemingly random life.” (1) Why do I note this? There seems to be this sense of a loss of hope or lack of hope throughout our world. Covid as heighten it but has not created it.
So, is there such a thing as certain hope? A hope that lasts and does not disappear in the morning. A hope that goes through the ups and downs of life.
Where do we place our hope?
All people place their hope in someone or something, the only question is what do they place their hope in and is it trustworthy? Here are some places people tend to place their hope.
Right Government
Some people put their hope in the right government or the right political party in office. However, if whoever they want in power is no longer in power what happens to their hope? It is gone. If one puts their hope in a political party it will disappoint and not carry them in their times of hurt and need
New Job
Some people might put their hope in getting a new job. Though getting a job might in fact be great and what is needed in their life at that moment, however is this really the place to put one’s hope? What happens if they lose the job or the business or company fails and they have to be let go? That is not certain hope.
New Relationship
Some people might put their hope in having a new relationship. We as humans are created for relationship (not just romantic but friendship), we were not made to walk life alone. However, if we put our hope in someone else; be it a friend, spouse or family member, what happens to that hope when that person is no longer there? Say they move out of state or pass away. People cannot be where we place our ultimate hope.
Where should we place our hope?
In 1 Peter 1:3-5 it states:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Did you catch the words in this passage? Living Hope, Never Perish, Never Spoil, Never Fade, Kept, Shielded by God’s power…These are all powerful words and what are they all describing? A hope that is certain and will not disappear no matter what one is going through at the time. So, what is this hope? This hope is Jesus. Why should we hope in Jesus? I just want to note a few things promised through Jesus that gives us certain hope.
1) He will forgive you [Romans 10:8-9]
2) Nothing can separate you from His love [Romans 8:38-39]
3) Every tear will be wiped away [Revelation 21:4]
4) Evil will be done away with [Revelation 20:10]
5) We need no longer fear death because He has conquered death [John 11]
So, what do we do with this? We all go through difficult times. We all will have struggles and pain in our life, but Jesus promises if we put our faith in Him and follow Him we will have a certain hope. A hope that will carry us, a hope that doesn’t disappear, a hope knowing that our future is secure in him. In Jesus your past is forgiven, present given a purpose and the future is secure. So, who will you put your hope and trust in today?