The power of hope for a new year
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I recently read a Vice.com article that quoted a recent CBS news poll saying, “57% of the people polled consider themselves ‘hopeful’ for 2025. That number was up 10% compared to the same poll from 2024.” The Bible often speaks about the power of hope, and I was excited for us to consider that subject in a blog post.
When we all woke up on New Year’s Day to the news of the terrorist attack in New Orleans, I realized the subject of “hope” was even more important to think about. The terrorist attack was not just an attack on American citizens; it was an attack on the country’s sense of optimism.
Why were people more hopeful about 2025?
A Gallup news article dated December 30, 2024, said Americans expected “political conflict, economic difficulty, global discord, and a growing deficit.” Even with those concerns, “66% of U.S. adults expect gains in the stock market, 54% think there will be increasing or full employment, and 52% predict reasonable price growth.”
It’s too soon to know if America’s optimism will fade in the coming weeks and months. Will terrorism continue to threaten our way of life? Will the resulting fears cost us financially and keep some people from investing? Will we feel safer in 2025, or will our fears increase?
Do you share King David’s hope?
King David lived much of his life waiting for the next attack on himself or his kingdom. He was a warrior king, a brilliant strategist, and a person of high achievement, yet he also lived with constant threats. That’s why his words of hope in Psalm 20 are so powerful. King David wrote, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright” (Psalm 20:7–8).
As children of God, our hope is impacted by world events, but our hope should never be a product of the world. I’m happy to live in the United States, and I’m grateful that we have the strength of our “chariots and horses.” At the same time, we, like King David, will probably always live looking over our shoulders as well. Every world power will always be a threat to someone else.
Many people are placing their hope in a new presidency, but as Christians, we need to put our hope in the King of kings.
Many people are putting hope in jobs, possessions, and financial accounts. Security is found in those things, but Christian hope comes from knowing we won’t always need those things.
Many people are hopeful that our military, FBI, CIA, laws, and leaders will keep us safe in this world. New Year’s Day was a reminder that none of us are completely safe from the things in this world until we are completely safe in heaven.
That’s why the author of Hebrews wrote, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Our greatest hope isn’t in the things we often tend to trust in this world. Those are the things we can “see.” We choose to trust the promises of God’s word because we choose to trust the promise of a greater life after this one. We have been promised life eternal.
Our hope is built on nothing less
Edward Mote composed lyrics to the hymn “Solid Rock” in 1836. He was inspired by the parable of the foolish man who built his house on the sand and the wise man who built his house on the rock. That’s why his chorus says, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”
The first stanza of the hymn begins with the words, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” This is a perfect time to ask ourselves, “Do we really mean those words when we sing them to God?” When have you trusted only God and not something less?
Most of us can remember when we prayed for someone to be healed, knowing the doctors did not give that person much hope. I celebrated Christmas with my mom this year after I had been told by several people in the medical field that it was unlikely. Sometimes, doctors get it wrong; sometimes, God answers prayers that make things right again in our earthly lives. No doctor will always be right, but God will always make things right for his children. He will either heal them temporarily on earth or eternally in heaven.
Our hope is built on nothing less.
What can you hope for in 2025?
Your life can abound with hope. Romans 15:13
God has a perfect plan for your life. Jeremiah 29:11
Reading the Bible with faith and trust will give you the hope you need. Romans 15:4
Heaven is a reality that gives us hope. 1 Peter 1:3
God will faithfully walk by your side every moment of 2025. Deuteronomy 31:6
Our hope is unwavering because it is promised by our perfectly powerful God. Hebrews 10:23
Hope can lift you above the hard times. Psalm 42:11
We can hope for God to make all things right if we trust in him. Romans 8:28
We can hope in God’s word because God cannot lie. Titus 1:1–2
The power of hope
Psychology Today published an article in 2023 about the power of hope. The subtitle said, “The secret is focusing on what you can control.” The article had a lot of helpful advice about setting goals, living in the present, hanging around with positive people, and focusing on “self” more often.
The advice of the experts in the world is often contrary to the advice given in God’s word. Our greatest goals should be God’s goals for our lives. We live in the present, but we should never live without the hope of our eternal future with God. We can hang around positive people, but we should prefer to hang around godly people who encourage us spiritually. We should think of the “self” according to the standard Jesus taught. He said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
We can have great hope for 2025 because we “trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. Our hope will be strengthened and encouraged as we study God’s word.
I’m glad to spend 2025 with you. We have a LOT to hope for this year.
