Hope is the message of the Advent and Christmas Seasons: Hope of the coming of the Savior. It is the prayer of the Gospel: “May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) How we long for joy, peace, trust and hope in the midst of a world in which we can experience lamentation rather than joy, conflict rather than peace, doubt rather than trust and despair rather than hope. How can hope be characteristic of our lives? Let us reflect on three metaphors for hope.

First, Hope is a door. “I will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope” (Hosea 2:15) Achor means trouble. It was where a rebellious, disobedient family was judged (Joshua 7:24). Someone had gone against God and he suffered for it. He got into trouble. However the Lord says that he will take the place of trouble in our lives and he will make it the opportunity for hope. What is the place of trouble in our lives will become the entrance to hope. What is the place of trouble for us? In its midst there can be a new beginning and a new future. This is possible because in Jesus there is the door of exit from trouble into hope. “I am the door. Whoever enters through me will be delivered.” (John 10:9) The way of hope is trusting and following him to gain the way forward to a new tomorrow.

Second, Hope is a helmet. “Since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on the hope of salvation as a helmet.” (1 Thess.5:8) A helmet gives us protection from injury, from brain damage, from crashes, from attack. We need such protection from fear, from doubt, from anxiety, fatalism, despair, scepticism and cynicism. What attacks do you experience? Hope gives us protection. Hope gives us confidence and reassurance that Christ can defend us from harm and work out God’s purposes for our life. “Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.” (Psalm 91:14)

Third, Hope is an anchor. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Heb.6:19) An anchor holds a ship safely in position to avoid shipwreck. Our hope in Christ guarantees our safety. Whereas the ship’s anchor goes down to the ocean bed, the Christian’s anchor goes to heaven where his soul is moored to God himself. Storms happen unexpectedly. Disaster can face us through financial challenges, disease, divorce, depression and unemployment. At those times we need an anchor of the soul to keep us from being destroyed. Our hope and confidence in Christ can keep us firm and secure. What is the storm that can batter you and threaten your peace and joy?

Hope must be nurtured if it is to be effective in our lives. The door has to be opened, the helmet has to be put on, and the anchor has to be let down. This requires action on our part; the prayerful application of our trust in him who is our hope. Lord, help us to trust in you for our hope.