Hope is not my favorite word.

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Hope is a weird word and not a concept that I particularly appreciate. It usually means that I’m going to have to defer gratification in something. I can patiently wait for my dentist appointment, but if I want apple pie I don’t even want to wait for the oven to heat up – I’m going to Village Inn. I’ve heard that Martin Luther once said that if he knew Jesus would return tomorrow he would still plant a tree today. I have to admit that I don’t really get that. Planting a tree is all about hope. It creates hope and it also requires hope. I planted a cherry tree and an apple tree recently. Like a true American, I wanted apple pie that night… with apples from my tree. Obviously I will have to wait and hope that one day this tree will produce fruit. Would I have planted these trees if I knew that I would never see their fruit? Maybe.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 New American Standard Version

Paul calls God a factory of hope, Who builds hope in you and I by the power of the Holy Spirit. The hope springs from believing the Gospel is true, and trusting Jesus’ word when He promises never to leave or forsake me. His word is more secure than my hope to one day see fruit appear on this tree. It is more secure because regarding this tree, lots can go wrong. We have deer in the neighborhood that might damage it. I might forget to water it. It might suffer from a fungus or disease. If any of these things happens before it matures, I won’t get my apple pie.

But Jesus is a much better gardener than I am. He will see this through to fulfillment.

Copyright David Brukiewa