Hope in the Creator, Not the creation

January 11, 2026

If you pay attention to the way we humans speak and the way we act, you’ll discover that we're always hoping for something.  "I hope our company does well this year.” “I hope he isn't mad at me."  "I hope God answers my prayer."  "I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.”  "I hope this sickness isn't something serious." “I REALLY hope the Titans are better next year,”  As human beings, we hope. It's our default setting. The question is not whether we hope, but rather what holds our hope. I want to share five principles about hope with you as we kick off 2026. First, everyone hopes in something or someone. You could argue that our lives are moved along by hope. From the little momentary hope of the youngster receiving a new toy to the ultimate hope of an adult seeking meaning and purpose, everybody hopes. We all hope in someone or something, and we expect that person or that thing to come through. Second, hope gives shape to the way we live. Hope influences our decisions. Without hope, we become depressed, despondent and, well, stuck. Hope isn’t just an intellectual exercise because hope has a profound influence on the way we live our lives. Third, an awful lot of our hopes result in disappointment. We place our hope in things and people that just don’t come through for us. Your relationships can’t make you happy all the time. Your job will often frustrate you. Your possessions may end up resulting in inner bankruptcy. Running marathons and working out won’t give you inner peace. When our hopes let us down, it's a reminder that often, our hopes are misplaced. Which leads us to the fourth principle. Ultimately, we can only put our hope in two places. You either place the hope of your life into the hands of a Sovereign God, or you look to what that Sovereign God has created for hope. Just like Paul explains in Romans 1:18-32, we humans have been exchanging the truth about God for a lie and worshipping and serving the creation rather than the Creator since the fall in the Garden of Eden.  Finally, we need to understand that our hope in God is steadfast and sure.  No one can satisfy our soul’s deepest needs like Jesus. No one brings rest like the Father’s rest. Only God provides a steadfast and sure foundation for our hope.  So, as we begin 2026, remember, we are always hoping in someone or something. Recognize the fact that false hopes will try to distract us. Flee from them and run to Jesus. Only Jesus provides hope today, tomorrow, and eternally.

Be blessed and go be a blessing . . . Bro. Andy