Hope That Does Not Disappoint

40 Days of Prayer

Hope That Does Not Disappoint

"And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:2-5 NIV

"...there is a detrimental feeling of which so many patients complain today, namely, the feeling of the total and ultimate meaninglessness of their lives. They lack the awareness of a meaning worth living for. They are haunted by the experience of the inner emptiness, a void within themselves; they are caught in that situation which I have called the "existential vacuum." ... Among American students 60 percent showed a marked degree of existential vacuum...which manifests itself mainly in a state of boredom... depression, aggression and addiction." Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning

In his book Viktor Frankl writes about the importance of hope in surviving his concentration camp experience during World War II. It was those people in the camp who found meaning and a higher purpose in their suffering that survived the longest. As Christians, we know that our 'higher purpose' is the glory of God in whose image we are created and given a purpose (Genesis 1:27-28). Everything in our lives works for the good of that purpose for which God has created us (Romans 8:28-ff). This is our hope. This is the hope that does not disappoint.

Consider Joseph's response to his brothers who had once so mistreated him, but now were groveling before him for mercy. Joseph said, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Gen. 50:20). Consider Jesus who in His last gasp for breath said, "Father, into YOUR hands I commit my Spirit" (Luke 23:46).  It was the hope of saving lives that gave even our Savior courage in His final moment. And today, through the power of His resurrection and the indwelling of His Spirit within us, does that very same hope reside in us. The events surrounding our lives, even the latest struggles of Grace Redeemer, are being used for the Lord's good purpose and glory. May many lives (souls) be saved as we continue forward to the glory of His Name. This is the hope which propels us. This is the hope that never disappoints.