If you and I woke up this morning and Jesus didn't live in our hearts, that's reason to be hopeless. If He'd remained in the grave some 2,000 years ago and was not alive in the world, that's reason to be hopeless. If He was some High Priest who couldn't sympathize with our temptations or weaknesses or needs, that's reason to be hopeless. If He wasn't always faithful even when we are not, that's reason to be hopeless. If He wasn't available to us in every time of crisis, that's reason to be hopeless. If He was far away or busy or couldn't hear or answer every single prayer we pray, that's reason to be hopeless. If He was not still in control with everything that is going on in the world, that's reason to be hopeless.

But He does live in our hearts (Col. 3:15). He is truly alive (Mt. 28: 2-10). He does feel our pain (Heb. 4:15). He is faithful (2 Tim. 2:13). He is available (Ps. 46:1). He does hear and answer our prayers (Mt. 21:22). He is in control (Job 38:4; Ps. 31:15).

All these are reason to have hope. Timothy simply called "the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope" (1 Tim. 1:1). And it is only those who don't know Him who have no hope--regardless of how many good things are happening in their worlds.

These are discouraging times, and evil seems to be winning on so many fronts. Yet, because God is still very much in charge, let's not lose hope. Instead, let's get up in the morning and talk to God about all that concerns us for the day--both personally and globally. Let's watch the news or take the call about the latest crisis and then talk to Jesus about it. Let's consciously pray.

And then no matter what we're facing, let's demonstrate hope. For it's hope that doesn't disappoint us (Romans 5:5)--because of the One we hope in.