Rejoicing In Hope

“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” (Ro 12:12 AV)

 

Let’s face it, the world is doing everything it can to eradicate hope.  People are not happy.  There seems to be nothing to look forward to.  Just when it seems there might be light at the end of the tunnel, our leaders and news agencies report new and more alarming mayhem.  If it is not one thing, it is another.  Not that what is being reported is of no concern.  Of course, there should be a concern.  The Bible tells us of the foolishness of those who see the evil before them and pass on as though it is not there.  There needs to be a dose of reality.  Rainbows and unicorns are no way to live.  This is not to what Paul is referring to.  By using the word ‘hope’ before the word ‘rejoicing’ suggests present circumstances are not ideal.   That is why we need hope.  If life was perfect, there would be no need for hope.  Our rejoicing, as difficult as it might be right now, must be founded upon hope.  That being the hope of what is to come.

My mother was a special kind of person.  She made a huge effort to do for her family those little things that made life special.  I think I relayed the memory of a made-to-order breakfast most Sunday mornings.  Mine was eggs in a hat.  That is where the cook will take a slice of bread and toast it on one side.  He will then cut a round hole in the center.  The cut-out will be flipped over and toasted on the other side.  The untoasted slice of bread will be flipped over and an egg broken in the center.  The toasted cut-out will be placed over the egg.  Once the remaining side is toasted, remove it to a plate.  YUM.  What made Mom’s breakfasts so special was that she seemed to have a knack when we were having an extra difficult time of life.  She also made homemade hot chocolate on the stove.  With milk and melted chocolate from a double broiler mixing in some heavy cream or steamed milk!  Awesome.  This tradition was extra special on Sunday mornings after a paper route delivery through several feet of snow.  We would come in drenched and exhausted.  As we trudged along with thousands of pounds of newspapers uphill both ways, we had the thought of Mom’s hot chocolate in our minds.  It was that hope of the homemade hot chocolate that got us through our assigned task with somewhat of a smile on our faces.

When Paul shares his testimony as rejoicing in hope, there are a few things we can take away from his words.  First, we are told to rejoice.  Rejoicing is the hallmark of the saint.  Regardless of the times in which we live, we are asked to rejoice.  Rejoicing, in part,  is what draws the world to Christ.  Second, we are to rejoice because of what is to come.  Not necessarily what currently is.  Sure, we can rejoice for much of what is.  We can rejoice that our sins are forgiven.  We can rejoice in the fact that we are eternally secure.  We can rejoice that we have fellowship with others.  We can rejoice with the wonderful families God has bestowed.  There is much to rejoice over.  But our greatest course of joy is, and always will be, that which is to come.  Our present fallen and cursed world will never get better.  That being until Christ returns.  Eternity is what we have to look forward to.  Not a perfect life.  No matter what the world does, it cannot take away the future!  Praise be to God.