Dr. Lawrence Butler, The Bridge Church, Pembroke

Hope is a necessary component for success in any endeavor. It is a belief and trust that things are going to work out alright. For the Christian it is an understanding that God is working things in such a way that we will survive any situation by His grace.

We have His promise upon which we stand as recorded in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” It is the truth of this verse that sustains us when we can see nothing but darkness, loss, failure and despair. Never doubt, my friend, God sees the sparrow that falls and the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matthew 10:29-30). He cares for you more deeply than you can comprehend. Jesus died for you.

Isn’t that proof enough? Keep your hope alive, things are going to be ok for God’s children!

There are many examples of people who held on to hope when it seemed all hope was gone. One such example was a man named Abraham. He received a promise from God that he would have a child and that his son’s descendants would multiply like the stars of heaven and the sand on the seashore. Time kept passing and no child was born to this man and his wife Sarah. But, in Paul’s words, “Who against hope believed in hope, that he (Abraham) might become the father of many nations” (Romans 4:18).

All of us have had experiences when we felt our prayers were not being answered. Abraham continued to have hope even when there appeared to be no hope – “Who against hope believed in hope.” Life is not easy, but God is faithful to fulfill His promises.

Through Abraham’s son, born to Sarah, came the Israelites, Christ Jesus, and all believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Don’t give up your hope in the Lord!