Hope on the Horizon
A Good Expectation Ahead
Yes, I know. It depends on to whom you are listening. Weary are we being toggled back-n-forth between dueling experts. And surely, we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.
Yet it does appear that a COVID19 anti-body producing vaccine is being crafted by diligent researchers, drawing upon the insight, strength in diligent testing, and wisdom God is quietly granting their effort. He indeed IS behind the scenes. “Every good gift comes down from Him” (James 1:17), the “Father of lights.”
The lift from news that a protective remedy is in the works illustrates how important hope is. It raises the chin, squares the shoulders. Lungs revive in a fresh oxygen draw. Eyes brighten. The scourge will end.
Once you lose hope, nothing seems possible. But once you choose hope, anything’s possible. There is nothing like genuine hope.
South Africa’s Bishop Desmond Tutu said, “Hope is being able to see there is light despite all the darkness.”
FOR US, IT’S ONE OF THE BIG THREE
“So now abide faith, hope, and love…” Paul reminds (1 Corinthians 13:13). For us who belong to Christ, hope is a huge component in our outlook.
But never let it simply become to you something so bland as wishful thinking, a hoping for something you actually know will never happen. The hope God gives us is rock solid assurance that His promises of great things ahead is truthful thinking.
So what do we KNOW is ahead?
First, our sure hope is that by faith, we stand fully forgiven and declared righteous and destined for the glory of God (Romans 5:2). More simply, as God’s child I am destined for glory.
Second, our sure hope is that when Jesus returns, the creation will be set free from its decaying bondage, and glory in His exaltation (Romans 8:20-21).
Third, our sure hope is the full, never-ending experience of unblemished, unhindered life and fellowship with God in a new, eternal home. The Master is right now preparing a place for us (John 14:2). This hope is “laid up” in heaven (Colossians 1:5). We shall surely dwell in a magnificent city – beyond imagination — of which we are already citizens (Philippians 3:20).
HEADS UP!
Masking up, stepping 6’ away, COVID19, racial tensions and unrest, political rancor, jobs in jeopardy, economic roller-coaster…in every generation there is plenty of darkness and discouragement to go around.
Fellow saints—fellow striders in the great long run with eyes fixed on the trailblazing Jesus—et’s get our heads up. This life is but a breath, a whisper of smoke, a fast-fading flower. The Lord’s long Day will arrive, like a sneaky, surprising thief to many. But not to us! No one has a future like those of us who belong to God through simple, hopeful faith in Christ. None have been promised more. The very best future is truly ours in Him.
Corrie Ten Boom, who spent insufferable months in the dregs of a Nazi prison camp, speaks from her own experience when she insists, “Never be afraid to entrust an unknown future to a known God.” She emerged from that darkness because she refused to relinquish the hope she had in Christ.
Today, and in the days to come – come what may – actively wait for your blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13). Look up every day. Expect. Pray. Long for.
Refuse to lose hope. Choose to embrace hope. All of what God has promised is YES in a Savior who is coming again.