Hope in Christ does not disappoint

Hope in Christ does not disappoint – Romans 5: 2-5

Thinking and praying through todays topic, I noticed how easy it is to become dejected especially during these times. We live in times of both geopolitical and economic uncertainties and it seems as if there is always a consistent presence of negative occurrences somewhere in the world’s landscape; From upheavals and news of possible upheavals in the middle east, to political instability in some parts of Africa to the rise of right wing hate movements in Europe and to the projection of stagnating world trade. In all of these, there appears to always be a dark cloud on the horizon. Even in our individual lives there could be one challenge or the other, from work, to school and to living in our respective communities. However, St. Paul gives all of us a simple and direct message today- the message of hope.

St. Paul seeks to remind us that, for us our hope is not based on the happenings around us but our hope is based on what happened on the cross on calvary, the redemptive act of Jesus. He begins in versus 1 to 2 reminding the church in Rome that through faith in Christ they enjoy access into the grace of God and thus they can boast in the hope of the glory of God, who is Christ Himself. So why is this reminder important. It is crucial because it presents the facts right from the beginning, that the bedrock of the hope of the Roman church and indeed that of ours as well is the cross of Christ. His redemptive act manifests the glory of God throughout humanity, and as the book of Hebrews reminds us that this sacrifice was once and for all, it cannot be shaken, cannot be undone. Thus, it is apt that our hope is based on this solid standing and not on a weak base of our own accomplishments and will.  

Brothers and sisters our hope in Christ does not disappoint because through Him, with Him and in Him the battle has already been won. That is why I believe that Paul could continue in versus 3-4 where he writes that “ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope.” He encourages them despite their suffering, because he is convinced that the battle has already been won through Christ. Beloved this should be our song, that regardless of the storm clouds, regardless of the apparent challenges we will move ahead with hope in Christ because the battle has already been won. The step by step nature of versus 3-4 also shows that hoping in Christ through our challenges doesn’t necessarily come easy. We must remind ourselves daily of His promises for us through the study of scripture, we must be willing to encourage one another, bearing ourselves up in prayer and we must endeavor to remain at His feet to pray and listen. 

In verse 5 St. Paul reminds us that this hope we have will not put us to shame. This is because this not a fleeting hope. It is not a façade or is it based on empty arguments. The spine of this hope is God’s love, and since God is love (1 John 4:8) then God Himself holds together our hope in Him. He Himself provides us with the grace and strength to keep up our hopes. Again, this point is crucial because it reminds us of the constant presence of God with us His children. Beloved, today I may not know the exact situation you find yourself in but what I know is that through it all God is with you, God is with us. I will like to end my sharing with Psalm 46 which mirrors the exact thoughts expressed by St. Paul in today’s text:

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.^[c]

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
⁵ God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
⁶ Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

⁷ The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

⁸ Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields^[d] with fire.
¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

¹¹ The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Amen.