Where Hope Can Be Found

Hal Lindsay once said: “Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air…but only for one second without hope.”

John Eldredge said: “The greatest human tragedy is to give up the search… To lose heart is to lose everything.”

If these men are right, where can we find hope?

A wise friend reminded me today of a good way to look at hope: “Hope is the joyful anticipation that God will fulfill His promises.”

Paul reminds us that hope is not something that can be “seen” (or felt). Rather, it is something that must be persevered after, and waited for:

“… hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” Romans 8:24-25

Paul also reminds us that lasting, genuine hope comes only from God:

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

The Old Testament Prophet Jeremiah weighs in, reminding us that hope is never a passive pursuit. We must recall truth to our minds to gain it:

“This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope.
The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.”
The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him.
It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:21-26

Thank you Lord, that you are no respecter of persons. Hope is available to every man or woman who desires it, and who seeks it in You!