There’s a big plague of hopelessness going around. Have you felt it? And did you know that the word, “hopeless,” when referring to Christians, never occurs in the New Testament? How can that be?

Hopelessness occurs when the future you have is camouflaged by the present you see. Think about what you’ve been seeing lately. Isn’t it stuffed full of the trials and turmoil of this world? Even the briefest glance at people involved in ugly riots and the authorities commissioned to restore order forces you into a judgmental view. “Who’s to blame? Who will fix this? Someone make it stop!” It’s so hopeless.

Here’s the thing. The god of this world is a pro at inciting an evil that springs from the hearts of those who are spiritually dead, and therefore without hope and without life in this world—the life of Jesus. (See Ephesians 2:11-13) He is “the God of hope.” And He doesn’t have just a dose of it, He is the original source. Once you receive Him, He works and attracts you to know Him. Why? Because you will trust Him and set your mind upon Him as the result. What will happen then? He will fill you with what He is!

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Your future—even tomorrow—is with Him, who lives in you. No matter what goes on around you—as ugly as that may be—your life and hope lives within you. Jesus told us this before He left so we would remember it after He left.

John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

No matter what you see, your future is with Him, and He is your hope.

See you later.