"May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope is in you."
Psalm 25:21 NIV
Hope is an interesting word. Most of us use the word to express a wish or deep desire. Sometimes that is even in the context of pessimism. We might hold out hope for something to happen but never really believe it will happen. Hope is viewed as a component of helplessness by some folks.
That's not the biblical view of hope. The word is rich with optimism. The sun is always shining or about to shine. The storms that come may be severe but they will pass. Death may overtake the life of a loved on but eternal life is promised.
The difference between a typical view of hope and biblical view of hope is the focal point. If you focus on your circumstances then your hope will be draped with intermittent happiness and despair. If you focus on the circumstances then your hope will be overridden by doubt and confusion.
The focal point of hope - true hope - is the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember when Jesus came to the disciples in the Sea of Galilee walking on water? And Peter wanted to walk on water, too! As long as he focused on Jesus he walked on the sea as if it were a cement slab. But when he focused on the waves he sank and was afraid he would drown.
You choose each day, each moment, where you place your focus. Distractions are plenty and more are coming. As you survey the landscape do you see Jesus? Fix your eyes on him! He is the author and finisher of your faith - faith does not exist without him. And faith is the cement slab upon which hope stands.
I'm not promising it will be easy but I do know that it is best. That's from my own experience of water-walking and nearly drowning a few times. Maybe you feel hopeless because you aren't firmly placing your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray that God will give you hope as you place your faith in him no matter what the details of the circumstances may be.
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