Why Hope?
“…and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Rom. 5:5)
Why have hope? It only leads to disappointment. I find myself thinking this a lot. My experience with hope is one of much disappointment. So I just stop hoping for many things. I’ve simply given myself over to the way things are. I figure if I can just stop wanting certain things then I won’t be disappointed and it won’t hurt.
It’s often the desire to not experience disappointment that motivates me. What do I do with the sadness and displeasure of things not working out like I expected? Did I fail? Did God fail?
I put my hope in God to make something happen; something I expect from him. And when that thing doesn’t happen the way I expected it to, I am disappointed.
St Paul reminds us the reason hope does not disappoint is “because the love of God has been poured into our hearts.” Our ultimate hope comes from God. Everything we hope for; everything we hope in ought to come through the love of God.
It was from the overflow of God’s love that we were created. Our very source of existence is the love of God; we know him through his love and it is in this love that we must hope.
“Eye has not seen, ear has not heard what God has in store for those who love him.” (1 Cor 2:9)
There must be something amazing awaiting those who believe; those who hope in him.
Let us remember that hope, by its very nature is something we do not yet have. It is not in our hands now; if it was there would be no cause for hope. We know that God is faithful and, as the prophet Isiah tells us “those who hope in the Lord will be renewed in strength.” It is the strength of God we need in these days of difficulty while we hope in Him.
What are you placing your hope in today? Is it in temporal things or eternal?
Prayer
Lord, you know the difficulties I sometimes endure, you know the disappointments I’ve experienced. I struggle to keep my heart set upon eternal things. Please strengthen my heart to trust in you; to hope in your great love.
Amen