“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Romans 8:24,25
About 10 years ago, I got a package from a nearby department store containing 3 rhubarb roots. Rhubarb pie is a favorite dessert of ours, and we decided to try to grow it in our garden. After bringing the roots home I prepared a place to plant them in the garden. Once everything was ready, I carefully buried my roots, each one scarcely larger than my thumb.
According to the package, we were instructed to not pick any stalks of rhubarb until the third year, so that the plants had time to establish themselves. So we waited. All that first summer the plants grew, producing tiny little stalks of rhubarb. The next spring came and the plants grew even larger stalks, as the plants got older. Eventually the third year came and the plants produced full-sized stalks and we finally were able to receive the fruits of our labor. After three long years, we finally had our rhubarb pie.
Which is what I am writing about here today. Hope.
What is hope? Hope is “the belief or expectation that something wished for can or will happen.” It also means “to place confidence” or to be optimistic.
When I planted those small little roots, I was hoping that someday I would be able to pick an armload of rhubarb to eat. At first, I didn’t have them in front of me, only roots. But it was faith and hope that caused me to plant them and wait those three years, until they were ready.
Another example: When someone begins working at a new job, why are they doing it? Usually to receive a paycheck. Usually most employers do not give out paychecks until after the work is done. They tell their employees that after two weeks, every other Friday, that they will receive their check. And that is what drives and motivates a person to work those two weeks. Their faith and hope that they will receive what was promised to them.
Paul was writing to the Philippians, and in one of the chapters, Paul wrote that he hoped to send Timotheus to the church sometime soon, and that he himself hoped to come to them as well. Both he and Timotheus were not with the church at that moment, but he was confident and optimistic that they would be there sometime soon.
“Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.” Philippians 2:23,24
We have a promise from Jesus that He is preparing a brand new place for us after we leave this Earth behind. We cannot see it yet, but we hope and believe that we will be there someday, and we patiently wait for that day.
“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:2,3
When someone goes on an airplane to a different country, they acquire a plane ticket that ensures they get a seat on that plane. The ticket itself is just a piece of paper, but when they have it, they have the hope and knowledge that they will arrive at their destination. Until that day, they wait patiently.
“But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Romans 8:25
Jesus will return for His believers. He will keep His promise. Until that day, we faithfully wait in hope.
In Christ,
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 