Hope of Glory

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we also have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, we glory in tribulation also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience and patience, experience, and experience, hope. And hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:1-5

Like most of us, I can remember the excitement and anticipation we experienced each year as children when Christmas approached. We were dirt poor, but Mother and Daddy almost always managed to get presents for us. One year I remember getting a Davy Crockett pistol, which I thought was simply the greatest present any boy could get. Another time I got my own personal copy of Swiss Family Robinson, and I dearly loved to read. Other times someone would give me – worst of all Christmas gifts at the time – clothes. And, not just clothes, mind you, but socks.

Getting presents wasn't the only thing good about Christmas, of course, but to my young mind that was the main thing. There was the Christmas tree – with presents underneath on Christmas Eve – and the church play, and Christmas candy, and carols, and, well, we exchanged presents at church, too. One year we pestered my not-so-patient father so much that he gave us our presents early in disgust.

As I got older, I appreciated more of what Christmas was all about, but, even now, I have that same sense of expectancy every year. Christmas is not just something we wish for; as long as we're alive, and the Lord tarries, it always comes. By the Biblical definition, Christmas is a hope. A Christian should never have a "I hope so" kind of faith, implying that something the Lord promises us may not happen. When we hope for something in Christ, we confidently expect it to happen (I do listen, Brother Paul!). Christ in us, Paul wrote, is our hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). The glory we will share for eternity is not something we should ever doubt if we belong to Christ. It will come, and that's the greatest hope of all.

We often hear the expression, "All hope is lost." Some things in which we place our hopes are vain hopes; we may hope for a good career, a happy marriage, successful children or a happy retirement. None of these things is wrong, and if we enjoy any or all of them we are blessed indeed. If our only hope for the future consists in such things, though, we are no different than the world, which seeks after the same things. Inevitably, even if we attain our goals in life, we'll find that "hope fulfilled" really doesn't fill us at all. If the things or goals we hope for are never realized, our hope is indeed lost.

What are your hopes and dreams? Have you attained them, or lost them, or are you still working toward them? I always hoped for a family, a good job, and a nice home, back when I was single and unemployed. Those things have come my way, thanks to a gracious Lord, but none of them bring a sense of satisfaction or fulfillment by themselves. I prayed for many years for a ministry, but that in itself only satisfies because Christ is in it. The mere act of writing a newsletter, or of ministering through song and witness, bring no satisfaction unless I act in obedience to God's will. Some work in a ministry as a profession, rather than as a calling, and the results are often sad to see.

What should we hope for then? The gift of eternal life in Christ? Certainly, but there are other rewards of service to God we can look to along the way. The progression in the scripture passage above is enlightening. Did you ever think of rejoicing, or glorying, in tribulation, or persecution? The promise is that, as we endure what Satan sends our way to attack our faith, the ultimate result is that we have hope, and that the Holy Spirit fills our hearts with God's love. Patience in the face of adversity is not cheaply won, but it is a gift of the Spirit that the Lord develops in us over time.

Every promise God gives his children carries with it the hope of its fulfillment. We accept the promises as true through faith, then look forward to their being carried out. When we read in Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and all of these things will be added unto you," that's not just a wish, or a maybe, that's a "know so"! When the Word promises, "For whosoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved," that's a fact, not an empty boast.

Please understand that I do not, by any means, support the "Name it, claim it" notion, which seeks to manipulate the promises of God for personal gain. God will not be mocked, and above all else, he is sovereign. His promises hinge, first of all, on our obedience to him. Beyond that, he supplies our needs, not our "want to's." More accurately, he causes us to want those things that please him. Delighting in the Lord comes first, then he gives us the desires of our heart (Psalms 37:4).

It's hard to see the light of hope in the midst of a storm, but never take your eyes off of it. God has made promises like "I am with you always (Matthew 28:20)," and he can not lie. As long as Christ is in you, never let anyone tell you that hope is lost; he is hope. If anyone doesn't know Christ, they don't know hope. Whether your immediate hope is in one of God's promises which applies to your life, or you focus on the ultimate hope of eternal life, never let go of it.

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