Unrelenting and Unwavering Hope

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)

The book Letters From a Sceptic contains letters exchanged between father - Edward Boyd and son - Gregory Boyd. Gregory Boyd grew up in a household with a father who, he says in the preface to their book, “harboured only resentment toward the church and was outspoken in his animosity toward what he called, ‘born again types.’”

For 14 years, he had short, awkward conversations with his father about his faith in Jesus Christ. These conversations were futile and gave him, as he puts it, little grounds for hope. Gregory Boyd felt led by the Lord to invite his father to correspond with him by mail about his views on Christianity. He would, in turn, answer his father’s objections by underpinning them with Biblical, scientific and historical truth. His father accepted the invitation. For nearly three years, father and son exchanged letters. Their correspondence culminated in Edward Boyd accepting Jesus as his Lord and Saviour.

Gregory Boyd had little hope of seeing his father come to faith in Jesus Christ. But he felt led by Holy Spirit to ask his father to correspond with him so that he could better understand his objections to Christianity. This gave Gregory hope that God could reveal the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ to him.

Firm Foundation

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Like Gregory Boyd, we can have confident hope in God when we trust Him. A hope that stems from an unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. An unrelenting hope that cannot be shaken. It is not a hope that is based on wishful thinking. It is rooted and grounded in who God says He is. It is rooted and grounded in His love, kindness, compassion, mercy and grace. In His omnipotence, His omniscience, His faithfulness.

This faith and hope in Jesus Christ is the firm foundation under our feet. A foundation built on the promises in His Word. His true promises.

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 2 Corinthians 1:20

No matter what we may be facing today – broken relationships, lack, unfulfilled dreams, doubt, worry, fear, despair - we can hope in Him. We can stand in faith on His promises that are yes and amen in Christ Jesus - even when we do not yet see. So let us turn our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-3). Let us walk by faith and not by sight.

 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV)

 

Reflection:

Will you, like Gregory Boyd, ask God to show you what to do in your situation that will give you hope in His promises?

Prayer:

Lord, You see my situation. Help me to have an unwavering faith and hope in You. Help me to trust that You are intervening on my behalf. Give me the wisdom and strength to do what You reveal through Holy Spirit and to trust You to do what only You can do. Help me walk by faith and not by sight. In Jesus’ name, amen.