UNPACK this...Hope in the Midst of Troubling TimesSample

Two Kinds of Hope

With talk of NFL training camps opening soon, many fans have hope for a great upcoming season. 

Arizona Cardinals fans hope that by adding star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, their offense takes a big jump in Kyler Murray's second year.

The San Francisco 49ers fans hope their Super Bowl loss motivates them to get back and win it.

The Philadelphia Eagles hope Carson Wentz leads them back to the playoffs while the Bears hope they bounce back after a disappointing 2019 season.

Many teams hope their older quarterbacks have something left in the tank while others hope their young QBs continue improving.

The definition of hope is “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.”

We can relate to this in our own lives as we hope for the pandemic to end, to stay or get healthy, and keep or get a job. Although we desire for something in particular to happen, we realize there’s no guarantee.

There’s a difference between hope attached to a desire and hope attached to a promise. According to the New Testament, hope isn’t based on “a feeling of expectation,” but a certainty in something that isn’t yet realized. It’s not just a desire, but deep confidence it will happen. 

This hope is rooted in Jesus and attached to God’s promises. Romans 5:2 explains, “Through Him, we’ve also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

We hope for things to happen here on earth, but once we receive Christ, we know we’re given salvation, eternal life, and access to the God of the universe.

This hope is a confident assurance for our soul, and we rest in knowing that even when we don’t get the job or improved health, we can still cling to God’s promises.

Hebrews 6:18-19 says, "Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.”

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You’re my refuge, strength, and hope. Thank you for the assured confidence You give my soul and that my hope for eternity is secure in Your promises. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.