“HOPE”

BIBLE READING: Romans 5

               (For background purposes, Ben is writing this devo.)

               I love Hope (my wife).  I also love hope.  Years ago, jokingly, I underlined a portion of Romans 5:5 in my Bible: “… hope does not disappoint…”  We laughed at the double-meaning of the statement, but hope is a wonderful concept when you really sit down and think about it.  Think back to Christmas Eve as a child and looking at the Christmas tree with wrapped presents underneath it.  Think about the hope you had that what you had whispered in Santa’s ear could actually be under the tree in one of those wrapped boxes.  Sure, you find out in the next 24 hours, but think about how wonderful and exciting it was to anticipate that what you wanted was right there in one of those boxes just waiting for you to unwrap it.  Think about holding a newborn baby.  Think about the hope that we have of the future for that child.  Think about how exciting it is to anticipate the growth of this child, and the beautiful person that he or she will become.  Hope is a concept that truly does not disappoint.

               As Paul transitions from the idea of the strength of Abraham’s faith to developing the faith of the Romans, he begins to talk about how and why Christ took our sins upon Him when sacrificing Himself on the cross.  The first part of Romans 5 gives no indication that life is easy after we become Christians, but that “… we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4).  The tribulation that comes from what we endure in this life is no match for the anticipation, … the excitement, … the hope that we have of Heaven.  Heaven is that present under the tree and the possibility that we can attain everything we desire.  Heaven is that newborn child, that we know will grow to be a wonderful person one day.  Hope is a wonderful thing.  It’s probably something we don’t often think about.  How often do you hear statements like, “They gave up because they had no hope”?  Fortunately, we have hope in Jesus Christ, and Paul explains why through the rest of the chapter: “Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.”  Let’s make extra effort today to focus on hope and what it means to us as Christians.