Hope may begin as a tiny yearning, but when fanned by encouragement, it can light a mighty blaze. It’s life-giving. People may feel ill. Once assured their symptoms will pass and that they will recover, they are often strengthened until they are well. A business may be failing. But when the owner sees signs of increased
demand for his product, he perseveres through the down-time.


The power of hope may be most obvious when it’s gone. It’s tragic to look into the eyes of one who has lost hope. To anticipate the realization of the thing we’re looking forward to gives joy and motivates us. But the person without hope can hardly take another step.


Even in the direst of situations we need not despair because of one – and only one – hope that lies at the heart of every believer: the hope given to us in Jesus Christ. As our world caves in around us, even a spark of hope in Jesus is enough to cling to. That spark grows into the fire of faith of knowing our answer will come, if not in this world, then in the next.