BRIGHT HOPE FOR TOMORROW

“Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as WE HOPE IN YOU” – Psalm 33:22

There is always room in God to receive and enjoy BRIGHT HOPE for TOMORROW: “Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as WE HOPE IN YOU” (Psa.33:22). Most people hope for a long life, lasting relationships, good health, and happiness. And these are good and legitimate, but contemporary events in the world have shown how in a matter of seconds, life can be completely turned upside down, inside out, and destroyed – leaving hearts and hopes dashed. With the rampaging pandemic, the things that folks, especially in the developed nations, never thought could be taken from them, such as toilet paper, food, jobs, and health security, left many with anxiety, confusion, and depression fighting for a hold on their minds. The entire globe and many nations and communities suddenly slid into valleys of instability, uncertainty, and insecurity.

As we read the words of Psalm 33, we are reminded that we cannot rely on our horses and armies – our own resources – to deliver us: “No king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a VAIN HOPE for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength” (vv.16-17). As God’s people, our hope is not drawn from the well of earthly security, but from a deeper well of faith and trust in our Heavenly Father. Even though the future still looks dim and bleak in many quarters – personal, family, and national – we can cling to God whose eyes are locked on us; who is our Help and Shield: “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield” (vv.18-20).

When our hope is in the Lord whose Love never fails and our trust is rooted in His Truth, we know deep down that His love will sustain us through life’s trials and uncertainties. In Him we have positive assurance of our future in Time and in Eternity. We have confident assurance in the promises of the God who never fails. Even if life’s struggles persist, our Hope in God will remain steadfast. It cannot be taken from us. It isn’t dependent on anyone or anything. He is constant and trustworthy. Even when life is unclear, and the way ahead is foggy, we can rest in His Love. We are reassured that we are never out of His sight or out of reach from His love. And this instils in us the Hope that He is in control and our souls can rest in Him.

Sometimes our hope falters in the face of challenges and troubles, but it’ll never fail! The unchangeable, reliable God paints a positive picture of our forever future: “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day” (Pro.4:18). When our hope and trust are firmly connected to Him, our rejoicing is never aborted: “For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name” (v.21). Moreover, this divine Hope is contagious, and God would have us share with someone who needs to hear these Words of Hope, that: the Lord loves them, sees them, and will sustain them into a Brighter Tomorrow!

The Lord will renew our Hope and strengthen our trust as we embrace His unfailing Love and share it with others. The hymn-writer describes Him as our: “Strength for today and bright Hope for tomorrow”!