If we live long enough, all of us will experience seasons when hope seems lost. But it is also in the complexity of life, that we experience great moments when it seems like we are full or overflowing with hope as well.
Many times these moments of hope are found in the circumstances of life. Like the birth of a child, a job promotion, even a well-timed vacation.
But for some of us, the source of our hope is found in something much deeper than the events of our day. It is found in our relationship with God.
You see it is in this condition that many of us live:
Balancing the ups and downs or our daily lives, those moments when we gain and loose hope, with the steady constant reminder that ultimately our hope is found in God.
The author of Hebrews in knew this well. And in chapter 11 he writes these words:
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
In the following verses we get an actual list of those who have lived with this kind of hope in their lives.
Many have called this section the “Spiritual Hall of Fame,” as many of the great leaders of the Old Testament are commended for living in the hope of eternity.
But that is what faith is all about. It is living in a way that demonstrates the hope that you have in Jesus.
Paul knew our struggle well, the struggle between placing our hope in the things of this world and the hope of eternity when wrote these words in Second Corinthians.
“Therefore we do not loose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
For the next few moments take some time to ponder the tension that we all experience between finding our hope in the things of today and the things of eternity.
If you are like me you probably find yourself toggling back and forth between these two worlds.
Look at Hebrews Chapter 11. Notice all the incredible things that people like you and me were able to be a part of when they placed their hope in God.
Look at 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18. Think about how you might fix your eyes on that which is eternal.
Read Hebrews 11:1
· What is the difference between this Hope and the Hope of Job? (See last post) Where is this hope placed?
· Look through Hebrews 11:4-38. What are some of the amazing things the ancients did with this hope?
· Have you even witnessed this “Hope” in action in your life? Describe?
Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
- Have you ever experienced the feeling of “outwardly wasting way” while “inwardly being renewed?” When?
- How can we fix our eyes on the things that are eternal?
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