"Hope"
July 28, 2021
“That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:10
The other night I took some time to sit on a pier and watch a sunset. As the day faded I pondered that as the sun raced to the west, somewhere a new day was just beginning. Maybe somebody was standing at water’s edge greeting the day that I was letting go of. I thought about my day, the things I accomplished, the things I laid aside for tomorrow. There was hope to accomplish those things, hope that the new day would be good and that I could somehow contribute good in someone’s life.
I suppose as a day draws to a close we all have hopes. Perhaps we just hope tomorrow will be kinder to us than today was. Perhaps we hope to be and instrument of peace in the midst of conflict. Or maybe we hope we can effectively lead others to avoid conflict by modeling grace and love. Maybe we just hope to be healed. Maybe we are just seeking an answer and hope to get a glimpse of the path.
This passage reminds us that the journey of faith is one in which we must press on in faith, and we are distinctive because no matter what the challenge, we have placed our hope in the loving Lord that is already ahead of us. The God of all creation is already in the midst of that sunrise as I watched my sun set for the day. My hope is already in tomorrow because God is already there leading me on. I just need to trust God with the path, the journey, even where my next step will land. I must trust that there will be a sure place when I walk God’s path. My hope is with God.
And so gentle reader, where ever you may find yourself on God’s journey, keep your hope with the Lord. Trust the Lord, even when the path isn’t clear, God laid the path and God knows your steps. And God asks us to keep striving. Doing our best, and placing our hope in a loving Lord who leads us in paths of righteousness for God’s glory as God’s children.
PRAYER: Gracious God, thank you for going before us. We trust you with our journey. We place our hope in you. Lead us O Lord to your bright dawn. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.