HOPE is a beautiful four letter word.

But sometimes it’s hard to hold onto hope when all I see are the struggles, strife, and hardships in the world around me. Constant reports of growing crime rates, increasing prices, and rising global conflicts fill my newsfeed. And that’s besides the difficulties to get by day to day in my own life. It’s enough for me to question whether there is any hope left in this world.

In the Old Testament the prophet Jeremiah endured his own battles with hopelessness, both internally and externally. He was appointed to spread God’s Word in a time when people refused to hear the Word. And due to their refusal to follow God, they would be captured and exiled into Babylon, far from their home in Jerusalem. Jeremiah’s job was to tell the people that disaster was imminent and pain inevitable.

Yet, into that hopelessness, God breathes fresh hope into the situation with a wonderful promise: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’”

Blessedly, Jesus fulfilled the promise when He entered this world in a manger in Bethlehem. It is because He chose to come down from a throne, lay down His life, and rise again that we live on the completed side of the promise given to Jeremiah. What was once bleak is now filled with hope.

Today, I will choose to take my eyes off this world’s happenings and shift my gaze to the One who has proven Himself faithful to fulfill His promises. Hope is not––and never will be––found in this world. Hope’s name is JESUS. Jesus will one day return to take us to our heavenly home where the troubles and trials of this world will be over. He is the One we can fix our eyes on.

Friend, are you burdened down by the cares in this life? Is your hope meter running low? Let me encourage you to remember that Jesus is here. He is with you––right in the midst of the heartache and pain. He promises provision, peace, rest, and deliverance. May your hope rise and stand on His Word. He cannot fail.

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for fulfilling Your promise for deliverance. Fill my heart with hope as I focus on Your goodness instead of my circumstances. Help me trust that Your presence is with me now–– and always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Ponder

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David. ~ Luke 1:32 ESV

Take a moment to focus on the fact that Jesus has––and is––fulfilling the promise of His presence with us. What are ways that you’ve seen His deliverance in your life?