. . . set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13b
In the rural Texas Hill Country where flash flooding is common, people say, “I ‘ll be there, God willin’ and the creek don’t rise.” In other words, it means, hopefully. It is a possibility, but actually things are not in my hands. But in this verse, Peter says we are to hope FULLY.
If the two words are crammed together is means “maybe”, no firm commitment that it will happen. Hopefully I can make it to the party. Hopefully, I can pass this test. Hopefully, my kid will turn out alright. It leaves the door open for doubt, or perhaps another way out, and it also takes that person out of control of the situation. It is like saying “if the fates allow me.”
But as Christians, we are to hope FULLY in the grace of God. True, we realize we also are not in control. But the point is we recognize who is and our hope lies in Him. To fully hope means to put your entire trust and future into the hands of the Lord, knowing that His will is infinitely wiser and better than yours. Faith is hope without reservations, and total trust. I am not there yet, but I strive more and more to be so.
Where does your thoughts lie? Are you hopeful that things will work out okay, or do you fully hope in the Lord of your life and know deep in your heart that they will?
