Hope often requires waiting, but waiting is made possible by hope.

Let me explain.

Hope often requires waiting. Makes sense. There is a future dimension to hope. If I hope that my best friend comes to visit, it requires some waiting. 

But waiting is made possible by hope. In other words, when we are confident about the thing we hope for, it gives us strength for the process of waiting. If I’m experiencing a difficult semester at high school, but I know that I’m going to be reunited with my friends at summer camp, that hopeful anticipation is going to give me strength to get through my difficult courses.

That’s why we need to be reminded about the great hope that we have specifically as Christians. 

One day, all of the darkness of the world will be replaced by glorious and joy-filled righteousness. One day, all of our decaying and pain-ridden bodies will be transformed into resurrected bodies. One day, all of the anxieties of life will vanish as we celebrate together in heaven. One day, violence will end, and peace will fully and finally reign. One day, we will see Jesus face to face, every tear will be wiped from every eye, and we will see the new heavens and the new earth.

In Romans 12:12 Paul wrote: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Those three ideas are connected. As you look forward, be joyful in the hope Christ gives us; be patient in your affliction—after all, it won’t last; and be faithful in prayer—continue to call upon the God who created you, who saves you, who sustains you, and who is with you through the valley and out the other side.

No matter how hard life gets, if you are in Christ, there is always hope. 

If you are in pain… you won’t be forever.
If you are worn out… you won’t be forever.
If you are unsure… you won’t be forever.
If you are sad… you won’t be forever.

Perhaps you’re doing quite well. If so, that’s wonderful. You might be thinking that today’s devotional is not for you. Think again. I’m guessing there is someone in your life who isn’t doing as good as you are. If so, perhaps you need to reach out and remind them that there are reasons to hope.

Hope often requires waiting, but waiting is made possible by hope.

---

Notes:

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.