I’ve been thinking quite a bit about a scripture in the book of Isaiah that describes the treatment Jesus received from many people when He lived as a man on earth—“He was despised and rejected by men” (Isaiah 53:3).  I have experienced rejection and I do NOT like it!  …and I suppose I choose denial over acknowledging that I may be despised by some, though it would not surprise me at all to find out that there are those who do despise me.  The thing is, if that is how mankind treated the perfect son of God, how can I expect to be treated any differently, particularly with my human imperfections?

The reality is that if someone wants to believe the worst about Christians, they will, and they will look for any reason to justify their conviction.  It is best for Christians to move beyond defending themselves in the view of their accusers and follow the advice of the apostle Peter (if there is any man who could be vulnerable to the finger pointing of non-believers and Christians alike, Peter is the one!):  “Even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed.  Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect….” (1 Peter 3:14, 15).

I was raised in a proof-texting religion that taught (from my perception) an aspect of defense that entailed proving me right and you wrong—the basis of which was (faulty) doctrine but having very little to do with hope; sadly, that is a position many Christians adopt. Although I recognize the importance of apologetics, the bottom line is personal—Jesus asking the disciples, and now each one of us, “Who do you say that I am?”

It is important to understand the meaning of the word “hope”; hope is not a place of insecurity, rather it exists along with faith and love—hope is founded in Deity and expressed through Jesus.  Hope, for the Christian, is confident expectation birthed in the grace of God, evidenced through the sacrificial gift of His Son on Calvary.  Living in the eternal realm of hope is much better than living without hope—if the opposite of hope is hopeless. I am sure many who do not have a faith relationship with God would not admit hopelessness, so where is their hope invested? …and what is the return on that investment?

Here is the reason for my hope:  God gives every person a measure of faith (Romans 12:3) and gifts for the purpose of investment in His kingdom.  I have chosen to invest the faith given me into the person of Jesus Christ and the Bible as the inerrant, infallible Word of God—however, I have only experienced a small part of the dividend of glory God has for me.  I know there is more coming because of His goodness and mercy (Psalm 23:6).  Often life is not easy but He has preserved me and provided for me, and He has walked with me through the difficult and dark times of life—I didn’t always recognize His presence and there were times I did not want Him interfering, yet in His love and faithfulness, He did not abandon me!  I will turn 63 soon and throughout my life, I have experienced the goodness and faithfulness of God—some situations have not turned out the way I hoped, however, circumstances are not a good basis for hope, but God is!

As I have invested time in Bible reading and prayer, He has graciously given me more faith to match the scriptures as I read them.  There have been many, “The Bible says that?” moments when the words on the pages did not match either the earlier teachings I’d received or my experiences—at those time I was given a choice, will I believe what others say He says, will I believe in just what is visible and what my limited life experiences (particularly in the light of eternity) tell me, or will I trust the matchless power of the Holy Spirit and believe the words of the sovereign God?

My Hope

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence

For my hope is from him.” (Psalm 62:5)

“You are my hiding place and my shield;

I hope in your word.” (Psalm 119:114)

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

Plans for welfare and not for evil,

To give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

“We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  More than that,

We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing

That suffering produces endurance, and endurance

Produces character, and character produces hope,

And hope does not put us to shame,

Because God’s love has been poured into our hearts

Through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

(Romans 5:2-5)

“For the grace of God has appeared,

Bringing salvation for all people, training us

To renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live

Self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing

Of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

(Titus 2:11-13)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

According to his great mercy, he has caused us

To be born again to a living hope through the resurrection

Of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance

That is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,

Kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power

Are being guarded through faith for a salvation

Ready to be revealed in the last time.”

(1 Peter 1:3-5)