Your Hope

Did you know that besides the book of Psalms, the book of Job has the most verses with reference to the word hope?  The book with the most tragedy, the worst tale of a life gone bad, and the saddest of stories – is filled with hope beyond measure. 

Let’s look at the verses:

Job 4 says But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed.  Should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways your hope?

These are words spoken by a friend to Job, words that I suppose are meant well but are full of anything but hope.

Our hope in times of trouble are not our piety and blameless ways.  Our hope is always in Him.

If we are to only hope in the goodness in our lives that we think we have displayed, we will fail.  We all fail.  We get discouraged.  We suffer setbacks.  We go through hard times.  And these are not indications of our wrongdoing.  Yes, of course we sometimes bring things upon ourselves.  But either way, our hope is not in somehow being good enough or holy enough to sway God to act on our behalf.

He already acted on our behalf when he sent his son Jesus, and he is our hope.

We must remember that when we are in trouble, and remind our friends in trouble of the hope of Jesus, as well. 

Nothing more.