What do you hope for when you wake up in the morning? 

Hope is “the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best” (Dictionary.com).  To hope for something is to desire it expectantly.  The English word “hope” was originally based on the Biblical use of the word, specifically on “God or Christ as the basis for hope.” (Online Etymological Dictionary)  In other words, hope was what we have when we believe Jesus.  Old timers seemed to understand there is no other reliable feeling events will turn out best without Him.

I just read a blog about a high school senior who recently committed suicide just six days after he graduated.  One of his teachers wrote that he really liked the student, who was very engaged in his class.  The teacher had seen no visible signs that the young man was being overcome by depression and hopelessness.

In our culture today hopelessness prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  It crouches at the door of many hearts, and its desire is for anyone whose hope is not secure in Jesus. Last year two people who visited Reach Out committed suicide and we buried a neighbor’s son at the end of the year whose life had become engulfed in hopelessness.

Today I want to encourage you to establish your faith in Jesus stronger every day so you have hope enough for those who don’t.  Our faith is meant to make us overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Let’s press in to Jesus until we chase away the prowling lion of darkness, depression and hopelessness and bring glistening hope to everyone we encounter.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing

that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13