Source of Hope
Scripture Reading — Psalm 146
Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.
What do you mean when you say “I hope so”?
If you are a believer, hope is not just hope for its own sake, but hope in something and hope in someone. We are invited to hope not by our own strength nor by the strength of anything in the world around us. Rather, we are invited to hope by the character of God. God makes and keeps promises, which means we can have hope for the future because of the Lord our God.
Psalm 146 points out the futility of trusting in earthly rulers and other leaders. Although we might like to put our hope in princes of industry or in political leaders or in our own good efforts, this psalm makes clear that all those things will fade away. Even our most respected human heroes have their limits. The only true, remaining source of hope is the Lord God. As we focus on hope this month, we’ll be learning about the God in whom we hope.
Unlike the princes of ancient Israel and many political leaders today, the Lord cares for more than just the wealthy and powerful. The Lord makes promises in Psalm 146 to people who are oppressed, hungry, imprisoned, and blind.
No matter who you are or how hopeless you may feel at times, God is the one true source of hope. In times of despair, look to him as your help for today and your hope for tomorrow.
Lord, our only source of hope, forgive us for trusting in other things. Help us to put our trust in you for the challenges of the present and the uncertainty of the future. Amen.
About the author — Rebecca Jordan Heys
Rebecca Jordan Heys serves as a pastor at Calvin Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She and her husband, Kyle, are the parents of two children.
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