Hope Is A Person

If I am being honest, I can sometimes feel stuck when I’m trying to have a quiet time. I feel rushed by my lack of time, or I can’t seem to decide which book of the Bible to read next. This is why I am very thankful for God-honoring devotionals. They can be concise and help me better understand a particular passage of scripture. In addition, they typically ask questions that I can continue to think on during the rest of the day. One devotional book that I really like to use is New Morning Mercies by Paul Tripp. A passage I read lately really sticks out to me. The devotionals don’t have titles, but I would probably call this one, “Hope is a Person.”

In this short devotional, Tripp makes the point that we are always looking to put our heart in something. That can look like a few different things- a child hoping for the latest toy, a teenager hoping that the kids at school will like him, or a dad who hopes that he doesn’t get laid off work during downsizing. As people, what we are really looking for is peace of heart. We want to know that what we have set our hope in will deliver us the peace that we desire. We are asking our hope to deliver us from anxiety and bring us joy. What Tripp makes clear is that this peace and joy are only found in the person of Jesus.

To put all that pressure on temporary situations is a lot to ask. Temporary situations are not designed to be our joy and peace. Can they help to ease burdens and be momentarily satisfying? Sure… but they cannot deliver the peace our hearts crave. Tripp says, “Whether you realize it or not, he (Jesus) is what your heart has been searching for, because what you have really been searching for is life, real heart-changing, heart-satisfying life-life to the fullest, life abundant.” That hope is only found in Jesus- our living hope who died for us and took our place on the cross. He never disappoints you, never leaves you, never forsakes you, never forgets you, and always loves you. Our true peace, hope, and abundant life are only found in Jesus.

Hebrews 6:19 says,

“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,” What the author of Hebrews is pointing out in this chapter is that Jesus is the anchor for our souls- our daily hope beyond all other laws and circumstances. Jesus is enough and can satisfy the peace that our hearts are longing for. What are you putting your hope in today? Where are you looking for peace? Give your heart over to your Savior today and find the peace that is only found in Him.

Click Here for a link to “New Morning Mercies” by Paul Tripp