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Monday

Read Romans 15:13    

The Foundation of Christian Hope

In the midst of life’s trials, challenges, and uncertainties, Christian hope stands as a steadfast anchor for the soul. Rooted in the promises of God, our hope through Christ transcends our experiences and circumstances and finds its foundation in the unwavering character of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Scripture assures us in Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Here we are assured that hope originates from God Himself, the source of all comfort and assurance, the God of today, yesterday, and tomorrow. 

It is significant that Paul wrote these words just before leaving Corinth to return to Jerusalem on his Third Missionary Journey, asking for the prayers of the Christians in Rome that he “may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea” (15:31), which is exactly what happened, even though he did have to undergo imprisonment in the days that followed. His hope was not “hoping for the best,” but “hoping in God.” Furthermore, Hebrews 6:19 declares, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” This imagery of an anchor beautifully portrays the stability and security found in our hope in Christ, even amidst life’s storms.

As Christians, our hope is not wishful thinking or mere optimism; it is a confident expectation based on the certain promises of God. Psalm 71:14 proclaims, “But I will hope continually and will praise You yet more and more.” Our hope is continuous and unyielding because it is grounded in the unchanging nature of God.

In these times of doubt, uncertainty or despair, let us cling to the firm foundation of biblical hope, knowing that God is faithful to fulfill His promises and sustain us through every trial. There is a certainty linked to this kind of hope, founded not on circumstances, but on the promises of God Himself. As one missionary famously said, “The future is as bright as the promises of God.” (William Carey)

Questions

How well has Christian hope acted as an anchor for you during recent trials? How can you share the hope you have in Christ with others who are struggling?

Prayer

Three Angels Haiti

Lord, please continue to protect and provide for Three Angels Haiti amidst the current social unrest and violence. Please keep Three Angels’ 300 students, 13 orphans, and faithful staff safe and encouraged by Your Spirit and promises.

 

Tuesday

Read 1 Peter 1:3-4

The Source of Christian Hope

Christian hope finds its source in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Christ has secured for us a hope that transcends the limitations of this world and extends into eternity. Every Easter we remind ourselves that, had the Father not raised Jesus from the dead, our faith (according to Paul) would be useless: “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men” (1 Corinthians 15:19). Clearly if our Lord could not conquer death, neither will we be able to and all hope of eternity is gone. But He did, quite gloriously, and that fact was testified to by hundreds of His followers!

First Peter 1:3-4 proclaims, “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.” Here we see that our hope is not based on earthly treasures that are temporary, but on the eternal inheritance we have in Christ.

Moreover, Romans 5:5 assures us that “hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Our hope is anchored in the unfailing love of God, who sustains us through every trial and tribulation. What is exciting about this is that, as Paul is assuring us here, our hope has a present dimension because of the indwelling Spirit. It is not just some vague, warm feeling about how great heaven will be when all our problems are gone, but it actually sustains us on a daily basis because we can know that nothing happens to us or around us that is out of the control of our Lord.

This is why as believers we are called to fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), knowing that in Him we find the ultimate source of hope and salvation.

Questions

In what ways do you currently focus your hope on earthly treasures or a future inheritance in Christ? Are there ways you can grow in this area? How well do you “fix your eyes on Jesus” in challenging times? What practical steps can you take to keep your faith centered on Christ?

Prayer

Three Angels Haiti

Our righteous King, we ask that You raise up godly leaders to guide Haiti according to Your perfect will for Your Kingdom purposes. Grant wisdom and righteousness to the presidential council and interim prime minister, helping them to lead the people faithfully and effectively.

 

Wednesday

Read Romans 8:24-25; 1 Corinthians 13:13

The Power of Christian Hope

Christian hope is not passive; it is a dynamic force that empowers us to persevere in faith and live with courage and confidence. It is through hope that we are able to face the challenges of life with unwavering resolve, knowing that God is faithful to fulfill His promises.

In Romans 8:24-25, we are reminded, “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” This passage highlights the transformative power of hope, which enables us to endure patiently as we await the fulfillment of God’s promises. It is this, more than almost anything else, which should set us apart as Christians in a world of hopelessness, sorrow, discord, suffering and death. If we are known as those who constantly focus on everything that is going wrong in our world, we are not giving a very good demonstration of the power of Christian hope. That doesn’t mean that we should come across either as naïve or as unrealistic, but unbelievers who see our lives and listen to our conversation should sense that we are being motivated and influenced by a power greater than ourselves, with a life perspective that looks up to Jesus.

Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 13:13 tells us, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Hope is listed alongside faith and love as one of the enduring qualities of the Christian life. It is hope that sustains us through the trials of life and inspires us to live with courage and conviction surrendered to a sovereign God.

As we place our hope in God, we are filled with His peace and joy, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill His promises and lead us into a future filled with hope. 

Read the last sentence again, and ask yourself whether your life in these turbulent times is truly characterized by “peace and joy.” If you have truly understood the power of Christian hope, then it should be.

Questions

In what ways might your outlook on life be perceived by others? Do you project hope and a life perspective that looks beyond current troubles? When faced with negativity or hopelessness in the world, how can you better demonstrate the power of Christian hope in your response?

Prayer

Three Angels Haiti

Almighty Creator, Your Word tells us that You are unwilling that any should perish, that You take no pleasure in judging the wicked. We ask, therefore, that You change hearts and bring many Haitian people into saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

Thursday

Read Romans 15:4

The Assurance of Christian Hope 

In a world of uncertainty and instability, Christian hope offers us the assurance of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness. It is a hope transcending circumstances and enduring trials and tribulations.

Romans 15:4 reminds us, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Here we see that the Scriptures serve as a source of encouragement and hope, reminding us of God’s faithfulness throughout history. 

Unbelievers sometimes mock us as Christians for being “Bibliolaters,” accusing us of seeming to worship the Bible which, of course, we never do. However, we do understand that God has graciously provided for us a written Guidebook which tells us about Him, His plan for the world, and the salvation He has made available to us as individuals. 

In reality, without the Bible we could have no assurance of hope because we would be at the mercy of people’s memories or opinions, which are notoriously unhelpful. God gives us a history book to tell us about what He did in the past; He gives us prophecies so that we could learn what He will do; He gives us poetry to encourage us along the path of life; and then He sent His Son who, along with the New Testament authors, helped us understand how we can be assured that a relationship with God is real and possible.

Hebrews 10:23 urges us to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Our hope is not based on wishful thinking or human effort, but on the unchanging character of God, who faithfully fulfills His promises. This then requires perseverance from us as well, to “keep on keeping on.”

As believers, we can take comfort in the assurance that our hope in Christ is secure, knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39). Even in the darkest moments, we can cling to the promise that God is with us, working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

Questions

In the face of uncertainty, can you confidently share the assurance of God’s love with others? How can you better demonstrate that hope in your daily life? Have you doubted God’s promises recently? What steps can you take to strengthen your faith and hold onto hope unswervingly?

Prayer

Three Angels Haiti

Loving God, please stir hearts to generosity toward Haiti and Three Angels. Please move supporters to prayerfulness on Three Angels’ behalf and to charitable, sacrificial financial support of this precious ministry, Your ministry.

 

Friday

Read Romans 12:12 

The Expression of Christian Hope  

Christian hope is not meant to be kept to ourselves; it is a hope that compels us to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others and to live as ambassadors of hope in a world filled with despair. This is not the time in history for Christians to hide behind closed doors or to retreat into like-minded enclaves that shut out the realities of a desperately needy world.

First Peter 3:15 exhorts us, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” As followers of Christ, we are called to be witnesses of His hope, sharing the message of salvation with boldness and humility. This has always been the commission to Christians, and it is certainly sorely needed today in a world which appears to be tearing itself apart. 

People desperately need to hear a message of hope, not the human kind of a 50/50 chance that things may improve, but the message of God’s love and the hope from knowing this love. This is why Peter talks about the importance of giving a REASON for our hope. There has to be a “backstory,” which is often our own personal testimony, or our belief in a treasured verse of Scripture, or simply the aura of peace which surrounds us in our interactions with others, brought about by a faith which stands on the solid rock of Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, Romans 12:12 encourages us to “be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Our hope in Christ should be evident in every aspect of our lives, inspiring us to rejoice in the midst of trials, to persevere in prayer, and to remain steadfast in our faith.

As we express our hope in Christ through our words and actions, we become beacons of light in a world that is searching for meaning and purpose. May our lives reflect the hope that we have in Christ, drawing others into relationship with Him and pointing them towards the source of true hope and salvation.

Questions

Do you feel prepared to share the reason for your hope in Christ with others, both believers and non-believers? In your daily interactions, do you exude a sense of peace or hope that might draw others to be curious about your faith?

Prayer

Three Angels Haiti

Father, as we appeal to You to regenerate Haiti and call its people to Christ, we ask You also to stir our hearts, Glenkirk Church, our community, and our country to revival. Make us more like Jesus, grieving over sin’s devastation and aching for the lost and exploited.

 

Sources

William Carey’s quote can be found at https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/william_carey_191985. 

 

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