For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love. (Ephesians 3:14-17 ESV)
Faith and Hope
My grandmother always had strong and tasty peppermints. It was a Dutch thing. Regardless of any other events or activities, Grandma had those mints to distribute. Rain or sun, morning or evening, laughing or crying, she provided those mints.
Knowing that those mints were reliably going to be put in my hand whenever I was with Grandma gave me a small amount of hope. Mint-hope is not that impressive, though. I liked them well enough, but I did not need them. I enjoyed them just fine, but I did not yearn for them. I found pleasure in them, but they were not particularly helpful, encouraging, or life-changing.
But I have hope that I will receive something better.
Paul promises that Christians will be given faith.
I can imagine situations in my future where I will need faith. And God gives hope that He will provide the faith I will need. And you can cling to that hope, too.
I will probably encounter fearful things. But I have hope that God will provide me with the faith I will need. I will probably be hurt, physically and emotionally. But I have hope that God will provide me with the faith I will need. I will be lonely. But I have hope that God will provide me with the faith I will need. I will be sorely tempted. But I have hope that God will provide me with the faith I will need. I will sin. But I have hope that God will provide me with the faith I will need. I will even have doubts… But I have hope that god will provide me with the faith I will need.
And that is better than peppermints.
Take the hope God grants us.