"Hope"

Hope That Anchors the Soul: A Reflection on God’s Unfailing Goodness

This morning, I felt compelled to begin by sharing some Scriptures that speak to the unshakable hope we have in God. Especially in times of grief, sorrow, or loss—when emotions are heavy and the questions are many—it’s essential to anchor ourselves in truth. And the truth is this: there is a hope that does not disappoint.

One of the first verses that comes to mind when we’re grieving is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14:

“I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.”

This is the difference—we grieve, but not like the world grieves. I've walked through the pain of losing loved ones. I've known sorrow. But even in the midst of it, there was a distinct knowing inside of me—this hope that said: this isn’t the end. And that’s what I wanted to release over our community today, especially as we mourn the loss of a young woman in our midst.

Let this truth cover her family, her school, her friends like a blanket: There is hope.

The Hope That Holds Us

The hope we have is not shallow or fleeting. It is not the world's kind of hope that rises and falls with circumstances. Biblical hope is an anchor—firm and secure. It’s not optimism; it’s oxygen from Heaven.

Romans 8:28 reminds us:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

And later in Romans 8:38-39, Paul declares:

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life...nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Nothing. Not even death.

We’re Not Lost

So many people say they "lost" a loved one. But in Christ, we are not lost. We know where they are—and they are fully found in the presence of Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:1 tells us:

“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

As Paul said in Philippians 1:21,

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

This is not wishful thinking. This is solid, eternal truth.

Hope in the Middle of Lament

One of the most beautiful surprises in the Bible comes in the book of Lamentations, a book written during one of the darkest times in Israel’s history. The prophet Jeremiah, after pouring out pages of grief, writes in Lamentations 3:21-24:

“This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I hope in Him.”

Even in devastation, hope rises.

When Hope Feels Heavy

I’m not pretending this is easy. There are moments when the burden feels too heavy. Jesus never said we wouldn’t feel pain. In fact, He gave us the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, because He knew we would need comfort.

Jesus also said in Matthew 11:30:

“My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

Are we walking through this life yoked up with Jesus? Because if we are, then we're not carrying this weight alone.

Hope doesn’t ignore pain; it carries us through it. And it tells us, again and again:God is good. Still. Always.

Hope Floats, Because God Is Good

Hebrews 6:19 says:

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”

But hope isn’t just an anchor. It’s also a buoy—and a lighthouse.

The world’s version of hope is like a balloon. It floats when things go well but deflates quickly in a storm. But our hope? Our hope is filled with the Spirit of God. It doesn’t sink.

It floats because God is holding us.

Psalm 27:13 is one of my favorites:

“I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”

Yes, we grieve. Yes, we feel anxiety, fear, and sorrow. But we don’t have to stay in that place. Psalm 94:17-19 says:

“Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul would have settled in silence... In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.”

Hope shines brightest in the dark.

Hope as a Lighthouse

Lighthouses aren’t needed when the sun is out. They’re built for the storm.

Hope is your lighthouse. It doesn’t stop the storm, but it tells you where the shore is. It tells you where home is. And it tells you, even when you can’t see land: you are not alone.

Your hope in Christ may be the very light someone else needs to see. Keep it burning. Be the keeper of your own flame. Feed it with Scripture, worship, prayer—even (especially) when you don’t feel like it.

You are not just carrying this hope for yourself. You are carrying it for the world.

Communion: A Reminder of Our Hope

When we come to the Lord’s table, we remember that God has already proven His goodness. The cross is the evidence. The bread and the cup remind us of the body broken and the blood poured out for us.

Romans 8:32 says:

“He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”

We look back to what Jesus did. But we also look forward. He said:

“I will drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

That’s our future. That’s the promise. That’s the ultimate hope.

Final Thoughts: Let Hope Rise

Hope doesn’t rise because we ignore pain. It rises because God’s mercy rises higher than our pain. His love is stronger. His presence is constant.

As Charles Spurgeon once said:

“Hope itself is like a star—not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.”

Let the light of God’s goodness shine in your storm.

And remember:Hope floats—not by chance, not by denial—but because God is holding you.

He is the lighthouse. He is the buoy.He is the anchor.

And He is always, always good.

Scriptures to Reflect On:

• 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14

• Romans 8:28, 38–39

• 2 Corinthians 5:1

• Philippians 1:21

• Lamentations 3:21–24

• Psalm 27:13

• Hebrews 6:19

• Psalm 94:17–19

• Romans 8:32

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for Your unshakable hope. Thank You that when everything around us feels uncertain, You remain steady. Help us to be the light in dark places. Strengthen us to keep the fire of hope burning, not only for ourselves, but for those around us. We rest in Your goodness and trust in Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.