My Living Hope

My Living Hope- Background
In 2008 we had a presidential election, and there was a lot of talk about “hope” and change. From a 2004 speech (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Audacity_of_Hope), Barack Obama talks of “the hope of immigrants setting out for distant shores,” the hope of a millworker's son who dares to defy the odds,” and “the hope of slaves sitting around a fire singing freedom songs.” In these times, it often seems as though we should believe that Barack Obama himself is the hope for country and humankind. We commonly use the word “hope” in the context of wishing for something that is not certain, or the possibilities of what might be. “I hope I get this job.” “I hope I don’t miss the train.” “I hope the Cubs win the world series.” Biblically speaking, however, many texts lead us to the conclusion that hope is not a fanciful wish, but rather a certainty and a person (and not B. Obama). So, I wanted to write an antidotal song for today’s vernacular usage of the word “hope.” As Christians, whether we are in church, at home or at work, when we speak or sing of hope, we certainly can be referring to the One and Only Living hope, Jesus.

My Living Hope- Inside Information
The idea for this song really started when I was reading a copy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association’s periodical, “Decision.” There is ministry within their organization called “My Hope,” and I thought it would make a good song title. Many others have thought that as well� see “A bit of uniqueness” below. This is from their web site (http://www.billygraham.org/IntlMin_WorldTVProject.asp): “Launched in 2002, My Hope World Evangelism Through Television uses proven methods of evangelism and discipleship from more than 60 years of Crusade ministry to train believers around the world to open their homes and share their faith through Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) TV broadcasts and videos.)

A bit of uniqueness� Many songs by major artists/labels have the title, “My Hope.” What I’ve found is that the hope identified is not the person (Jesus), but some other appropriate aspect or description of our relationship to God. Here are some lines/choruses from songs with the title, “My Hope”:

And I put my hope
And I put my trust
And I put myself in You
In You Lord
(David Crowder ©2002 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), CCLI #3585287)

I put my hope in You there's nothing else to do
Through every valley I know You're by my side
For my life is in Your hands
(Glenn Packiam ©2009 Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.), CCLI # 5462580)

My hope is in the name of the Lord
Where my help comes from
You're my strength my song
(Darlene Zschech 2002 Hillsong Publishing (Admin. in U.S. & Canada by Integrity's Hosanna! Music, CCLI #3951062)

1 Peter 1:3-5
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Psalm 62:4-6
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 65:5
You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,

Psalm 71:5
For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.

Colossians 1:27
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

1 Timothy 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,