OUR ONLY HOPE
By Suzanne Benner

Sometimes I feel alone in my struggles. When my mind feeds me lies that my situation will never change, that things will never get better, I must remember the truth that I have reason to hope. And that's it's *true* hope, not a false longing or a deceptive presumption.

What is this hope? That Jesus Christ died for my sins so that I could have an intimate relationship with God, the creator of the universe. Not only do I have access to God's incredible power, but also the assurance that Jesus will return to unite me with the Heavenly Father, transforming me into God's likeness.

What a hope we have as believers! These are not simply words that we whisper to ourselves as a comforting delusion. Inspired by God, John wrote, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2). Therefore, we confidently assert, "We will not always be like this, for God is changing us!" What fresh air that breathes into my soul when I am mired in destructive thought patterns or stuck in ruinous ways of interacting.

What does hope do? It propels us toward the One in whom our confidence is based. As a great hymn of the faith states, "Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness" (Edward Mote, My Hope Is Built). Thus, we run to Jesus...our only hope.

~Thank You, God, for sending Jesus. Thank You that regardless of my situation, I have reason to hope because I have a real relationship with You.


*** Suzanne Benner lives in Calgary with her husband and three school-aged children. She leads a small group Bible study in her local church and is passionate about Scripture memorization.
Click to e-mail Suzanne:
mailto:editor@christianwomentoday.com?subject=Attn.Suzanne_Benner

About the Author

Suzanne Benner lives in Calgary with her husband and three school-aged children. She leads a small group Bible study in her local church and is passionate about Scripture memorization.