Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Hope

Hebrews 10:19-25
v23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Although I try not to be shocked by the things I see these days, I was caught off-guard by the message on a young teenager’s T-shirt as she walked past me in the grocery store. The bold letters declared: “Hope Is For Suckers.” Certainly, being naive can be foolish and at times dangerous. Disappointment, struggle and pain in life can leave us disheartened. But not allowing oneself to have hope is a sad cynical way to view life.
 This passage speaks of the great privilege that belongs to those who have placed their faith in the cross of Jesus Christ. For all of us poor sinners who have trusted Him, it is our immense privilege to draw near to God. Biblical ‘Hope’ is unique as it refers to the future hope of our salvation. It's a confident trust in God and what He is doing in the world and in our lives. That’s something everyone needs! The writer to the Hebrews clearly stated the importance of hope when he wrote, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23).
Having biblical hope is not foolish, because it has a strong foundation. We have no idea what will happen today or tomorrow, we do not know if things will get better or worse, but praise be to God, this one thing we know: Hold fast hope we have received in Christ because our God is faithful. He can be trusted with anything and everything we will ever face, both for today and forever. Our hope is grounded in the trustworthy character of the God who loves us with an everlasting love. So, the T-shirt had it wrong. Hope is not for fools; it’s for you and for me!

PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the future that you have laid before us. Your promises of what lies ahead can be the fuel to my faith in this time of struggle and pain. I stand firm in who You are, and that You will be faithful yet again! In Jesus name, Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Hope that has its foundation in God will not crumble under the pressures of life.

Jaisy Mathew St. John’s MTC, New York
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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