Does Hope Hurt?

”For in this hope, we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” Romans 8:24-25 ESV

“When the whole world is running towards a cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind.” C. S. Lewis

Is it wishful thinking or is it hope?

Is it expectations or is it hope?

Is it trusting the Father that makes us hurt? Bible greats like Abraham and David trusted for years to see what the Father had in mind and never saw Jesus in the flesh. They patiently waited. They longed to see what we now see.

Hebrews 11 says Faith is evidence of things hoped for and assurance about what we do not see. Other translations say certainty.

On Good Friday, all was lost. The hope of Jesus the conquering Messiah was gone. The disciples did not understand. Hope was shattered. Peter’s self-confidence was gone. Another committed suicide. All were in hiding from fear of the authorities. Even when Jesus died, the earthquake and the believing dead rising from their tombs did not persuade. The Roman centurions did believe when Jesus said, “It is finished,” and gave up His spirit, but it did not stop centurions from guarding Jesus’ tomb. They were sure intruders would steal Jesus’ body. What a tragedy!

Are you experiencing a Good Friday in your life?

Remember, Sunday came! What celebration! Renewal! Hope! Resurrection Sunday. When all seems lost, hang on to your Father’s promises, supportive friends, authentic prayer and Sunday.

Musings

Hope was a tricky thing for me when my husband was in Hospice his final weeks with Lewy body dementia. I hoped for him to recover, but my mind knew better. The “still small voice” assured me He was with my husband. The evidence was my husband’s conversion and baptism years before. We both were certain of Jesus. “We see through a mirror darkly,” while we’re here. Hope seems painful because we’re not in Heaven yet. We will be.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you for Resurrection Sunday!

We are like the disciples when tough times come, but we can reach out to You and overcome because of this holiest of days. Jesus said, “Take heart for I have overcome the world.”

Amen.