The generations have been engulfed in the world’s dreams and promises of security and pursuit of happiness. We’ve built our foundations on society, political systems, and institutions which have promised to provide this for us, but we’re discovering that investing in this world was a weak foundation to build upon.
We’ve made the things of the world our treasure, and we’ve suffered loss when it’s taken and disappoints us. We’ve become directionless and aimless, not knowing what is worth building for our future.
This void of direction leads us to a crossroads of questioning:
- What can we hope in?
- What foundation is worth building on?
- What is real and worth pursuing?
- What is truly worth investing in?
- Where can we find real meaning and purpose?
Worldly Promises and Misplaced Hope
The world often encourages us to hope in something – it’s what motivates people to move and act. The world stirs up our desires and promises to fulfill those desires through many promises – financial success, a job title, owning a home, political activism, etc. These things aren’t inherently wrong, but often the empty promise behind them is that we will find fulfillment, meaning, and purpose.
We think that when we’ve achieved the next goal or dream that we will be satisfied, but ask the rich man if he is satisfied and he will tell you that he’s always striving for just a little bit more. The writer of Ecclesiastes outlined this endless pursuit of everything under the sun, and the vanity that comes with it:
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.
Ecclesiastes 5:10-12
There is something about the promises of this world which lead us on an endless and tiresome chase. We seek happiness and fulfillment, but only find more hunger. Jesus offers a joy and a peace which fills us with a hope which is not of this world, but a heavenly hope.
Hope Which Every Generation is Seeking
Across all generations, no matter what the unique circumstances or challenges we face, every generation seeks after similar things that come from a deep void in the heart which cries out for our Creator.
- A life of Meaning and Purpose
- A life of Security and Shelter
- A life full of Love, Peace, and Joy.
We put our hope in finding these things in the world, but there is only one source where we can truly fill that void.
The Gospel of Hope
The Gospel’s offer to us is to place our hope in Jesus, our redeemer. It invites us to lay down our lives in surrender to Jesus to have life abundantly in Him. Our hope is returning back to our Heavenly Father, the author of life, and to be in the presence of God eternally.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
John 10:10
The Gospel reaches out to the weary and the burdened – to those who have been striving toward the promises of this world but have been left weary and broken by it. God sees those of us who have exhausted ourselves and are burned out, and He offers a joy and peace the world could not give us in His only son – Jesus.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
The life and hope which Jesus offers us is one that’s freely given. We don’t need to earn it or strive toward it. Jesus paid for it all on the cross, and the work is finished to receive it. In the resurrection of Jesus, we have a hope in our own resurrection back to our Father in heaven.
A Hope in Jesus. A Treasure in Heaven
How often have we fully invested ourselves into a pursuit or dream and suffered loss and emptiness? Is there any investment which is permanent and can never be taken away? When you place your hope in Jesus, your treasure is in God and Heaven. Your hope and promise is an eternal one, and Jesus paid the full price for it on the cross.
There is a kingdom of this world, and a kingdom of God. Some of us invest in the things of this world. Others invest it all in the kingdom of God. Whichever kingdom we invest in, that’s where our heart will be.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:9
There was once a wise merchant who understood the richness and the value of life in Jesus. He was willing to give up everything he had gained in this world to obtain this rich and priceless treasure.
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Matthew 13:44-46
Are you willing to sell everything for the kingdom of heaven, or will you continue to invest your heart in this world and the things of this world which are passing away?
Scriptures of Hope
Here are a few Scriptures of the Bible which express the promises of God when we place our hope in Jesus.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
Hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 5:5
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13
Write Down the Vision of Hope
Write down the vision of hope, and set your eyes on the eternal promises of God. Reflect on the life you have in Christ, which surpasses the material things of this world. You will abound in treasures in heaven and life abundantly when you put your hope in Jesus.