Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope

1 Tim. 1:1 ESV

Little Sarah asks her Mom, “When is Daddy coming home?”

“Later today, Sweetheart,” says her Mom.

“I hope he will bring me a present!”

Mom smiles. “He always does, Sarah.”

And then the moment arrives. Dad opens the front door and little Sarah leaps from her toys, runs, and exclaims at the top of her voice, “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!”

Dad drops his bags and lifts her into his arms where she giggles with delight and he smiles and tells her he loves her.

So what was little Sarah’s hope? That her Daddy would bring her a present? No, it is probably better to ask, “Who was little Sarah’s hope?” You see, her hope was all bound up in her Daddy.

As he opens his letter to Timothy, Paul does not say we hope in something, but we hope in someone, Christ. Why? Because all God’s promises—the basis for all our hope—are bound up in Christ. Those promises and their fulfillment are inseparable from Him! Without Him, none of God’s promises are ours.

Sometimes we must become like a child to understand and live the deepest truth. Hope is like that.

For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.

Ps. 71:5 (ESV)

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