Romans 8:24-25 (ESV) — For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Barak Obama ran for president in 2008 on a campaign of hope. Hope and Change were the centerpiece of his message to the country. And it resonated with people. In fact, it was this message that served as a springboard for him to win the nomination of his party and eventually the presidential election. Historians will debate for years to come on whether he delivered on that promise, but what is most important is to recognize how effective it was as a campaign slogan. 

Why is that? Why did the message of hope resonate so deeply with people? Because people are desperate for hope. The world brings a lot of heaviness, sadness, and despair. Life can be extremely difficult. People are weary and want to believe that tomorrow could be better. Hope springs eternal. 

Our passage today points us to where that hope comes from. It isn’t a campaign promise from a politician, but a truth claim from God to His people. It is a source of real hope. Paul writes, “For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” Our hope is rooted in the finished work of Jesus. His death for our sins, and his resurrection from the grave, is the basis of our salvation. This is the hope we are saved into. We do not currently see the full consummation of this hope, but that is what separates hope from other things. Hope is forward looking. Hope is built and rooted on a promise for tomorrow. 

As Christians, the reason we can be confident in the hope we have in Christ is because the promises God offers to us are not empty campaign promises from a politician with clay feet. No, the promises we cling to are made by the God who never lies. That gives us real hope. 

Reflection & Journal:

- Why are we so attracted to messages and people who give us hope?

- What does our passage teach us about the nature of hope?

- How can we practically keep ourselves grounded in the truths that produce hope in our lives?

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