HOPE ASSURANCE

MANY OF US HAVE FIRE INSURANCE on our homes. We purchase this insurance with the prayer that we never have to use it. The same would be said of those like myself who have flood insurance, it costs a lot, but I hope never to have to use it, but it does provide a modicum of peace…just in case.

     Hope Assurance is acquired not because we pray something will not happen, but rather because we hope something will happen.

     Over the past few months I have been pulling out my hope assurance policy that I keep in one of the drawers of my heart. This specific policy relates to what I hope happened yesterday (note I am typing this on Wednesday morning.) That event was the marriage of my daughter Krista Lee Kay to Soantieba Didier Tankoano. The journey to this wedding day has been one beset with detours and postponements and yet we have moved forward as if all things were certain. At this moment, invitations have been sent and RSVP’s received. Flowers and dresses ordered and the celebration meal planned. Yet, the marriage is not complete until the pastor (me) says, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.” So, right now we carry in our hearts Hope Assurance, and our hope is that by the time you are reading this, the policy we hold so dearly to will be no longer needed.

     This Hope Assurance is the same sort of policy we hold as followers of Jesus Christ. We, too, are waiting for the Wedding Day, the day when the Bride of Christ, the church, will be united with the Bridegroom at the marriage supper of the Lamb. (Revelation19:9) It has been a long time coming, with often what seems like detours and postponements. Yet, we hold on tight to our Hope Assurance policy. We find encouragement with the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

     Have I seen my daughter walk down the aisle dressed in white? No I have not, but I have faith that produces hope, and I am certain…even of that which I have yet to see.

     Even so, Lord Jesus, come! (Revelation 22:20)