Joni Eareckson Tada
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
Psalm 31:24
In John Bunyan’s classic, Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian reaches the shores of the celestial river with his companion, Hopeful. It is Hopeful who leads the pilgrim to the other side to the golden city. As Christian crosses the dark, turbulent river of death, he nearly drowns in the flooding waves. The water is deep, and he loses his footing. Whirlpools sweep in circles, and he becomes disoriented, feeling like he has lost his way. Nevertheless, Christian keeps holding on to the shoulder of his steady companion, Hopeful. Hopeful keeps his eyes on the opposite bank of the river. Christian may have lost his way, but not Hopeful!
Hope in Christ never disappoints you, friend. Not in life, and not even at the prospect of death. If you have lost your footing and find yourself disoriented, hold on to the shoulder of Jesus. He is your Blessed Hope, and He knows the way. In fact, He is the way.
Lord, I’m so grateful to have my hope centered in You. Everything on this side of heaven is so uncertain. The world around me changes day by day; I can feel the very ground shift beneath my feet. But You are my Hope—now, tomorrow, and forever.