I hope in uncertain things:
that my child won’t get bullied,
the weather will improve,
or my hard work will produce fruit.
Shaky wishes of a groaning creation, marked by sin.
And then the less-voiced hopes:
for restored relationships,
repentance,
change,
opened eyes
and mended hearts.
And it seems that I’m a hope addict,
desperate to place trust
in the uncertain
and the unknown,
but my assurance is feeble at best
and my efforts impotent,
when I look through my own eyes
and lean on my own understanding;
when I place my hope on created things,
and not the Creator.
But His Word shows hope firm and sure,
not a fickle thing
dependent on whims of men,
changing tempers and
variable weather,
but found in Him:
the source of our salvation,
the determiner of good,
the provider of plentiful redemption,
the supplier of steadfast love,
the shield and hiding place,
the unsearchable mind,
the unrivalled might,
the end reward,
the present comfort,
the faithful maker,
who never fails in weaving in what is needed,
and cutting out what is not.
And in His Word, we are also called to hope.
We see His plans established
from the foundation of the earth,
His people called by His name,
His strength demonstrated in their weakness,
His name glorified through hardship,
His plans carried out to the letter,
His predictions fulfilled,
His promises unbroken,
His people scattered but strengthened,
His Word despised but steadfast,
Himself the anchor and foundation of our hope,
the Unchanging, Almighty God.
Lasting hope could never be found in sunny skies
or earthly success.
True hope is woven into the fabric
of Someone far greater,
the Thread that pulled eternity and time together,
that gave gospel promises to live in today:
comfort for crying children,
broken marriages,
and loneliness;
believing eyes to see the garments of white, waiting.
The unfailing Master Craftsman,
who is weaving together a tapestry
of beauty,
that threads through yesterday,
today,
and tomorrow
and leads to Him.
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4 ESV).
