Holding on to HopeSample

# Our Hope ### By Julia Lleverino “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.”— Romans 5:1-2 (NIV) If you’re anything like me, then you've probably asked yourself these questions before: “What is hope?” or “How is hope different from a wish?” The difference between the two is that a wish is something that can't be guaranteed to happen, but Christian hope is an expectation of what God has promised. We can have the assurance of our hope because the basis of it is found in Christ! Jesus sacrificed Himself for us; therefore, we can now be in a relationship with God. We can be comforted in knowing that, no matter what, God has our back, and we can be at peace with what comes. Jeremiah 29:11 says “ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ’” When we base our hope on God’s Word—the truth—and meditate on it, we have no reason to worry! Now you might be asking, “How do we live in that hope?” Here are two truths that we can remember and practice when life seems to be going south . . . 1\. We have hope in God because He has good plans for us! God has special and specific plans for each of us—each different but all very important. Nothing and no one can change that. We don’t know when or how God will work, but He will! You can live with hope because our God is faithful to keep His promises. Unlike our plans, His plans can never be stopped! 2\. We have hope in God because He will finish what He started! When you were saved by God, He began an incredible work in you to transform you into the likeness of Christ. Everything you go through, whether it be good or bad, God will use for your growth and His glory! May we base our hope in Christ as we ask Him for guidance and seek Him amid darkness! Pause: Take some time to ponder the hope you can have in God! How has He been faithful in the past? Practice: If you are struggling and don't know where to turn, put your trust in the Lord. Whether it be through prayer or worship, surrender your life and worries to Him today. Pray: Lord, thank You for being the rock on which we stand, and the One we put our hope in. Nothing is possible without You, Lord; so we thank You for the great gift of life You have given us, and the hope of better things to come! Praise: Listen to "Surrounded (Fight My Battles)" by UPPERROOM.