The Foundation of Hope

In the recent Presidential election, President Obama ran on two platforms. The first was the idea of change, that Washington was too corrupt, old school, and needed reform. Yet, the driving force behind the change was the hope of a better tomorrow. Isn't in interesting how powerful hope can be? It is intangible, it does not have eyes, ears, a mouth or nose. We cannot look hope in the eye, nor can we see it face to face. Yet somehow, someway, it penetrates our soul to the point of action. Just like any building that is constructed, car that is assembled, or company which is started, hope has a foundation. The question is, what should a Christian's hope be founded on?

There are some who build their hope on the foundation of material items. In a country that is driven by the accumulation of "stuff" it is hard to pull away from the mentality of needing the biggest, most innovative, expensive or technologically advanced items which hit stores every day. Sadly, there is an ideology which suggest whoever dies with the most toys wins. We tend to forget, whoever dies with the most toys is still dead. In Psalms 115:4-8 it says,

"Their idols are silver and gold, the work of man's hands. They have mouths
but they cannot speak; they have eyes, but the cannot see; they have ears
but the cannot hear; they have noses, but they cannot smell; they have
hands, but they cannot feel; they have feet, but they cannot walk; they
cannot make a sound with their throat, those who make them will become like
them, everyone who trust in them."

When we allow materialism to become our main desire, If we place our hope in the material world, we will not be able to see God working in our lives, hear what God is speaking to us through his word, and we will be unable to walk in the way he has commanded. However, we know that placing our hope in the physical is no different than the wise man building his house on the sand because this world and all its lust are passing away (1 John 2:17). Therefore, those who build their hope on materialism strive to gain more because their souls are empty. Thus their hope has no foundation.

Secondly, there are those that build their hope on the foundation of man's wisdom. So many Christians turn to magazines, talks show, such as Oprah and Dr. Phil, or even elected officials in order to satisfy their personal or spiritual desires. In Romans 1:21-22 Paul writes,

"For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks,
but they became futile in their speculation, and their foolish heart was
darkened. Professing to be wise they became fools."

Hope in the man's wisdom leads to the elimination of God and ultimate failure. Hope in men will return empty because men are fallible.

Our hope as Christians should be build on the word of God. God's word is able to equip us (2 Timothy 3:16). God's word guides us (Psalm 119:105). Our creator's word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). Our hope for everlasting life is based on the accounts God has given us through the revelation of his word. By studying these accounts and lessons our faith in God and the hope that he has promised, will be strengthened.

A Christian's hope should be built on prayer as well. In Philippians 4:6 it says, "be anxious in nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God." Prayer allows Christians to have a direct connection to God. Our hope in our faith is strengthened when our prayers are answered. Answered prayers generate motivation to keep on running the race to eternity.

Finally, a Christian's hope is build on the foundation of Jesus and his sacrifice. For he is the cornerstone of our hope and salvation(Acts 4:11-12). It is because of his sacrifice by which we are enabled to inherit salvation and escape from sin. It is only through Jesus that one can be forgiven of sins, through repentance and baptism in his name (Acts 2:38). When Jesus is apart of our lives we know that our hope is not empty but built on the strongest foundation known to man. The question still remains... What is your hope built on?