Issue 1546 – Hope – September 10, 2024
Kathy and I drove to Hope, BC, about an hour from home on Saturday. It was a pleasant trip.
The District of Hope (formerly the Town of Hope) is an old, established community (at least by BC standards). The explorer Simon Fraser arrived in 1808, and in 1848, The Hudson Bay Company created a trading post.
According to one source, “Fort Hope was established in 1848–49 by chief trader Henry Newsham Peers. He discovered a route through the mountains that did not dip below the 49th parallel, which had become the American border. Thus, the hope that his route would be workable was fulfilled.”
One of the biggest draws to Hope these days is its connection to the Rambo movie franchise. The first of the Rambo movies, First Blood, was filmed here. If you have seen the movie, you have seen the community (at least as it looked at the time.)
That movie connection draws tourists from around the globe, and Rambo-related paraphernalia is available almost everywhere in town.
Another draw is the chainsaw carvings throughout the community, including a Rambo carving and one of his nemesis, Sheriff Will Teasel, which stands nearby—a steady stream of tourists stopped by those statues to have their pictures taken.
As we picnicked in the town center, I looked out at the Rambo carving; I was struck by how often we put our hope in the wrong things and people. We want a superhero, a politician, or some other person to lead us and bring us to victory.
We will be disappointed if we put our hope in material goods, prestige, or earthly power. Those things will all fade away.
That will inevitably lead us to defeat. There is only one true Hope. Hope in anyone or anything else is a wish or an empty promise.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:24-25
If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 1 Corinthians 15:9
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Jesus Christ is the one true hope. Through Him our sins are forgiven, the Holy Spirit dwells in us and we are adopted into the family of God. By His sacrifice and mercy, we are delivered from the punishment that is rightfully ours.
Praise His name and trust in Him.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV)