Set My Hope on Jesus

You know that feeling when you misplace your phone? Panic sets in, right? You start checking every nook, retracing your steps, and thinking, “I hope I didn’t leave it in the fridge again.” (Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.) The hope we feel in those moments is filled with doubt – maybe we’ll find it, but maybe we won’t.

But here’s the thing: that’s not how the Bible talks about hope. And trust me, God isn’t telling us to frantically search like we’re on some cosmic scavenger hunt for our joy. The kind of hope God offers is rock solid, unshakeable, and totally fridge-free.

Let’s dive into this living hope, and remember – it all points to His glory.

A Hope That’s Alive – And Sovereign

In 1 Peter 3:15, we’re reminded that we have been “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” This is not some fleeting, wishful thinking. No, it’s a living, breathing, full-of-life hope! But here’s the key: this hope didn’t come cheaply or randomly. Jesus’ resurrection was part of God’s sovereign plan, established before time began, and it was for His glory. The wrath of God that was meant for us – yes, the just, righteous anger of God toward our sin – was placed squarely on Jesus.

This is atonement. Jesus took on the wrath we deserved, bearing it so that we could be reconciled to God. He was our substitute, taking our place and satisfying the justice of God. Isaiah 53:5-6 says it well: “But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one – to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

This wasn’t a backup plan or something God stumbled into. No, His sovereignty is woven through every part of the Gospel. We didn’t just happen to get saved – God orchestrated it from the start, and our hope is secure because of it.

God’s Sovereign Hand in Our Hope

Let’s be honest, most of us use “hope” with a hint of doubt. We say things like, “I hope this traffic clears up,” but what we really mean is, “I’m not holding my breath.” But the Bible’s use of the word hope is entirely different.

In the Old Testament, hope (the Hebrew word batah) means confidence, security, and being without care. In other words, there’s no hint of doubt at all! Similarly, in the New Testament, the Greek word elpis or elpizo also carries that same meaning – confident expectation. Biblical hope isn’t just an emotional backup plan; it’s rooted in God’s sovereignty and His ability to fulfill what He promises.

Biblical hope isn’t just an emotional backup plan; it’s rooted in God’s sovereignty and His ability to fulfill what He promises.

When we hope in Jesus, we’re not hoping in someone who might show up – we’re hoping in the One who has already proven Himself faithful, from the cross to the resurrection. God’s sovereignty means that nothing, not even death itself, can thwart His plans. Romans 8:28 assures us that God is working “all things together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” Our hope isn’t based on wishful thinking but on the solid rock of God’s unshakeable, sovereign will.

Hope for the Hurting – His Glory in Our Trials

Life is hard. We face trials that shake us, disappointments that leave us questioning, and grief that sometimes feels like it’ll drown us. It’s easy to let distractions creep in, replacing the time we used to spend with God with mindless scrolling or other fillers. We start doubting, avoiding, and feeling overwhelmed by the weight of this world.

But even in the hardest times, God is sovereign. Every tear, every trial, every wound that doesn’t seem to heal – God is working in and through it for HIS glory. 1 Peter 4:12-13 tells us, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as thought something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.”

Our suffering has a purpose because it points to the cross. Jesus didn’t suffer for suffering’s sake; He bore the wrath meant for us so that God’s glory could be revealed through our redemption. In the same way, our trials are shaping us, refining our faith, and drawing us closer to the ultimate hope we have in Jesus.

Jesus didn’t suffer for suffering’s sake; He bore the wrath meant for us so that God’s glory could be revealed through redemption.

Confident Assurance in a Sovereign Savior

Here’s the good news: Biblical hope isn’t a feeling, and it isn’t based on our circumstances. It’s rooted in the promises of God, and those promises are backed by His sovereignty. John 6:47 says, “Truly, truly I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.” No wiggle room there. If you believe in Jesus, eternal life is yours because Jesus bore the wrath of God that was meant for you, and God’s sovereign plan of salvation has already been accomplished.

So, the next time you’re tempted to say, “I hope so,” remember that your hope in Jesus is more than wishful thinking. It’s a confident expectation, founded on the sovereignty of a God who never changes and always fulfills His promises. Hebrews 11:1 tells us that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” That’s the kind of hope we have in Christ – a hope that doesn’t shift or crumble under pressure.

Our hope in Jesus is more than wishful thinking – it’s a confident expectation, founded on the sovereignty of a God who never changes and always fulfills His promises.

Sisters, let’s set our hope on Jesus – the One who hears us, loves us and never fails us. Let’s rest in the assurance that God is sovereign, and in His perfect plan, Jesus bore the wrath that was meant for us, securing our hope forever.

And the next time you find your phone in the fridge, let it be a reminder that while life might be unpredictable, the hope we have in Christ is not.

This hope is sure because it rests not on our efforts but on the finished work of Christ and God’s sovereign plan. Through it all, His glory is at the center.