Hope is a gift. A gift in the sense that hopelessness is taxing. It weighs on the unbelieving with unbearable dread. All who have come unto the saving knowledge of repentance have the gift of hope, for they have accepted God’s promise of eternal life and are therefore given hope. Some acquire great hope as a means of overcoming difficult circumstances or trials; others gain hope by proximity and relationship with God: their daily walk with Jesus provokes a visible hope of salvation. Hope is your expectation based on what you have been promised, faith is your belief it will happen — that I will perform it. (Phil 1:6)
So, how does one recognize the gift of hope in others? You will see it shining on their face through the tears and dirt which stain their cheeks. Radiance, like the face of Moses, whose visage bore the expression of God’s promised gift to mankind — light in full measure. So draw near in full assurance (Hebrews 10:22)
Convinced now of the importance of hope, how does one acquire more? Since our hope is our expectation based on what we have been promised, the answer is to ask God what He is promising you today. Take a moment now and pause, asking the Lord. “What are you promising me today?”
Yielding Prayer
Father, I accept your promise and choose to rest in the hope of what you have promised. I know that your grace is sufficient and you will give me the faith to get through any challenge I am facing. I yield my attempts at control of my life and situation to you, and instead, I ask you to guide me.