Darkness can enclose us. The enemy of our souls delights to dampen our dreams, visions, and hopes. He wants to destroy our very life. (John 10:10)

In the Old Testament there is a story of a group of Bible college students cutting down trees to build a new school of the prophets. (II Kings 6:1-6) As a young man was chopping down a tree, his axe head came off and fell in the river. He was panic-stricken. The axe was borrowed and, in that culture, he was liable. Besides, he couldn’t replace such a valuable and expensive tool. His business, finances, reputation, and calling as a prophet in training were all in jeopardy. He felt hopeless. In despair he cried out to the renowned prophet, Elisha.

Elisha asked where it had fallen into the river. Elisha then cut a branch and threw it into the water. “The axe head rose to the surface and floated” (II Kings 6:6). The young man was told to grab it. In hope, faith, and obedience the young man reached out and grabbed the axe head.

I believe that the “branch” thrown into the water was a type of the “branch” – Jesus Christ. He is the root and offspring of David. (Revelation 22:16) David tells us that those who put their hope in the Lord will not be ashamed. (Psalm 119:16) “There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). His name is Jesus. A prescription for hope is found in Psalm 34. Notice what David did to keep hope alive. He praised God, prayed, put trust in the Lord, and positioned himself for God’s protection by humility and broken heartedness.

When the lost axe head floated to the surface, the young man was instructed to reach out and grab it. When the Branch – Jesus Christ – enters your life – hope floats. But you must reach out and grab it by believing and obeying God’s Word. (Hebrews 11:1-2)

How can we keep alive the hope that will not disappoint – the hope that will make a life of blessing? Consider this acrostic for HOPE.

H – HEAVEN’S Lord and His love for us. We need a vision of the Lord of heaven. The prophet Isaiah did and his life was changed. (Isaiah 6:1-8) Elisha’s trembling servant had his eyes opened to see the might of God. (II Kings 6:17-18) Don’t measure the Lord by your problems, measure your problems by the Lord. Get a new vision of God. John, while on the Isle of Patmos, had his hope revived when he saw the Lion and the Lamb and he fell on his face in worship. (Revelation 5) Have you fallen before the Lord Jesus? (Philippians 2:10)

O – OPPORTUNITIES. God can give us eyes to see opportunities we never saw before. See your problems as opportunities for God to act and demonstrate His glory. Ask God to bless you and use you every possible way. Watch for even the smallest opportunity He gives each and every day.

P – PEOPLE. Know how important people are to God. Reach out to someone to serve or help in some way. See how God can take your life and touch someone by your love, caring, and prayer. Every moment you invest in caring, sharing, and prayer has eternal consequences and rewards.

E – ETERNITY. Our ultimate joy and rewards are laid up in heaven. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ – we are of all men most miserable” (I Corinthians 15:19). The blessings that God has in store for His children will be so amazing and satisfying that you will forget all of the trials and disappointments of life. It will be worth it all. (Romans 8:18-19) Men and women of faith looked with hope to that eternal city of God. (Hebrews 11:8-10)

Do you have the hope of eternal life? You can have that hope today. Reach out and grab it by faith.

A – Admit you have sinned. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 8:23).

B – Believe in Jesus. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). (Romans 10:9-10)

C – Confess and leave your sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).