Joy in hope

rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; - Romans 12.12

A hopeless life must be the most awful life imaginable. Hopelessness is a miserable state. It can impact anyone. It is the hopeless life that plays a huge role in the vast numbers of suicides that dominate our Irish culture.  I obviously don’t want to over simplify an difficult and complication situation, but there is an obvious connection. If there is no hope then we get discouraged. Continued discouragement is a major factor in depression. Depression can lead to despair, and despair unchecked can lead to desperation. When people are desperate there can seem like no answer but to end it all.

But as Paul writes here the believer does have hope. No matter how bad it gets here we have the promise of eternal life. That hope makes it all bearable. The hope is not a vague wish that maybe it is going to happen, but it is the hope of full assurance that this is not all there is.

So how should hope affect us? It should cause us to rejoice. It should cause us to be patient in our trials. It should cause us to continue steadfastly in our prayers.

Believers have the precious promises of God. He is with us. He watches over us. He is in control. He knows what we need. We know that our eternity is secure.

O Lord, give us the strength only You can provide to put our hope in You. Help us to rejoice in that hope so that we rejoice in the Lord no matter what comes our way. Remind us that we can’t always rejoice in our circumstance, but we can rejoice in You. Help us by that hope to be patient in our temporary trials.

Let that hope drive us to our knees in prayers of reliance on You. Keep us steadfast in those prayers no matter what comes our way. 

Help us to share that message of hope to those who are hurting and in despair.