Hope

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) "'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future'."

Those who trust in God, love Him and seek His face have a hope like no other. Many times, I diminish the nature of this hope. I often think of it as a sort of vague optimism brought by knowing God. That is so far from all this hope really is. The hope we have in Christ is certain. It is pointed, defined. Christ's death and resurrection gives me the hope of everlasting life with God. When I leave this world, I will reside in a place of ultimate joy, filled with the light of God's presence. The KJV version says that God plans to give us "an expected end". For me, the most terrifying aspect of death is not knowing what it will be like or what exactly happens afterward. I am a very logical person - I like steps and formulas. I want to know every little detail of what goes on when a person dies. Not existing is the most terrifying thing I can think of. In Christ, I don't have to be afraid because I know what awaits me after death and it is wonderful.

"'He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away'" - Revelations 21:4 (ESV)

And whatever comes between physical life and heaven, I am secure in the fact that it will be okay because God is good and he cares for me.

Praise God that He loved us so much that he took all of our sins - past, present, and future - upon himself to save us from the worst death imaginable, separation from Him for all eternity. I pray that you will join me in more actively living out of this truth. Jesus has conquered fear. He has conquered death. May we find joy and peace in the hope He has bought for us with his cleansing blood.