For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel. Col 1:5

We live in troubled times. The news media and social media are filled with stories of contention and unrest in politics, communities, schools, marketplaces, and families are not excluded. At every turn in life there is some sort of conflict, disturbance, threat of disease, sickness, illness, suffering, loss of jobs, loss of life, and even loss of hope. The certainty of changing circumstance can leave a person with a sense of hopelessness and dim outlook for the future. The scripture passage reminds us that the child of God has a hope that is beyond this world and beyond this life. It is a “hope which is laid up for you in heaven.” It is the “hope” for every child of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He paid the debt of sin for the whole world that “whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16) and be with Him in a new home in heaven. He has promised not to leave us hopeless in this chaotic world of constant change and uncertainty but receive us to Himself to live in glory. It is a hope founded “in the word of truth of the gospel.” God’s word leads us into everlasting life, life full of joy, and hope for the future. The psalmist writes for us that we may know joy that is ours and the hope of living in His eternal presence. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps 16:11). It is “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27) that fills our hearts with anticipation and excites us everyday to look to heaven “for the hope which is laid up for you.” My friend, be strong and of good courage. Live each day in the presence of God, for the pleasure of God, and on the promises of God. Then you will see the pains and troubles of this world “will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace” (Baptist Hymnal, 320). Father, thank You for the hope of eternity that fills me with “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Pet 1:8). I will rejoice and be glad in the salvation that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.