

"Hope of the world, Thou Christ of great compassion; Speak to our fearful hearts by conflict rent. Save us, Thy people, from consuming passions, Who by our own false hopes and aims are spent.
"Hope of the world, who by Thy cross didst save us From death and dark despair, from sin and guilt, We render back the love Thy mercy gave us; Take Thou our lives and use them as Thou wilt."
The world is full of false hopes for the future, hopes that will not, ultimately, be fulfilled. Many people build their hope on scientific progress or the belief that humanity is slowly improving. Others look to political leaders to make life better for everyone. Some people believe that the use of artificial intelligence will lead to a brighter future. It is true that we enjoy the benefits of scientific progress in medicine, communication, travel, and other areas. Elected leaders try to make wise decisions that will improve the lives of citizens, but a quick glance at daily news headlines indicates that these beliefs are not solid foundations for lasting hope. In our hymn we pray that God would save His people, who are spent—exhausted—"by our own false hopes and aims."
The people of ancient Israel had their own false hopes for the future. They rejected God as their King and turned instead to earthly kings like Saul, David, and Solomon. They tried to secure their future through alliances with other countries, but their hope was lost as their nation collapsed in civil war and fell to foreign powers. Yet through the centuries, God's people also placed their hope in another King still to come, God's promised Messiah. The people of Israel believed that when the Messiah came to reign as King, their enemies would be destroyed and the glory of Israel would be restored. Jesus the Messiah came as promised, but the hope that He brought was different than expected. Jesus did not establish an earthly kingdom. He announced the coming of the kingdom of God.
Through faith in Jesus, through His suffering, death, and resurrection, we have been brought into His blessed kingdom. Born anew in Baptism, we have "a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3b). Earthly hopes and dreams for the future will fail us. No amount of scientific progress can defeat death. No political ruler can promise eternal life. Only Jesus can make and keep that promise. The promise of hope and life is ours to proclaim. It is the promise that a world without hope needs to hear. In Jesus we have hope for the future, the living hope of life in His presence forever.
WE PRAY: Jesus, Hope of the world, turn me away from false hopes to look only to You. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, "Hope of the World," which is number 690 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions:
1. Of tech advances in the last 20 years, of which are you most hopeful? Least hopeful?
2. How did ancient Israel abandon its hope in God for worldly solutions?
3. How can we know that no matter what our circumstances are we can remain hopeful in God? What has He done to show us this?
Today's Bible Readings: Jeremiah 6, 11-12 Acts 27:27-44
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