Network newscasts bring the ugly realities of the human condition before our eyes twenty four hours a day. New conflicts arise between nations of the world on a daily basis. The threat of terrorism haunts our every move. Crime and disease stalks the streets of the world's cities causing all of us to wonder who will be the next victim. There are an estimated 100 million street children around the world who have no parents or place to rest their weary minds and bodies. Disease, starvation and brutal civil war are ravaging thousands on the continent of Africa. War seems to be just a step away for the Middle East as the United States and Great Britain continues an exchange of hostile fire with Iraq. The Balkan states are in a state of chaos. The inner cities of America are crumbling because of crime and drugs. Pollution is contaminating the air we breathe and the water we drink. The nations have enough weapons to destroy mankind many times over.

In addition to all of this, the themes of books, television programs, movies, magazines and music communicate an aggressive message of hopelessness and despair. Youth are led to believe that the world is about to be destroyed and there is nothing they can do about it. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people under thirty years of age.

Young and old alike do not believe they can make a difference in this world. So they have turned to various forms of escapism as they live their lives vicariously through various forms of media. Their heroes are the heroes of consumption. These heroes of consumption continue to lead our people down the paths of licentiousness and irresponsibility, all of which leads to boredom and frustration. They search for meaning in their lives--something to believe in--something to give their lives for, but all that is offered is empty entertainment. The media is continually challenged to find new ways to thrill and shock their audiences.

History reveals that people will eventually go in the direction of their heroes. If leaders do not provide strong moral and spiritual leadership their followers are doomed to fall into the pits of hopelessness and despair. Leaders need to articulate a vision of hope and courage. They need to define transcendental goals that challenge each one of us to reach for the stars--to become more than passive recipients in the great arena of life. In short they need to challenge us to be active participants in creating a better world for our posterity.

Christians know that a better world is coming. The Apostle Paul wrote "If in this life only we have hope we are of all men most miserable (I Corinthians 15:19). Our hope and affection should be set on the eternal things of God, but God wants us to offer hope to the world now. If we are not providing a vision of hope-and reflecting hope in our lives--we cannot expect our family, friends and neighbors to be filled with hope.

So what is hope? Hope is the earnest expectation of seeing things change for the better. The Apostle Paul admonishes us to put on as a helmet the hope of salvation (I Thessalonians 5:8). But what does this mean in practical terms? A helmet covers the entire head. Just as helmets cover our heads, the hope of salvation should permeate our minds and hearts. Hope allows us to keep the picture of what lies ahead for each one of God's faithful servants, burning brightly in our minds and hearts.

We can readily see that there is an intimate relationship between our thoughts and hope.

Hope cannot be nourished in an environment that reeks with the stench of negativism.

Hope is based on faith. Faith and hope are quenched in an atmosphere of unbelief. Why do I have hope? I have hope because I have faith in the one who has promised to give us all good things. "...Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Hope is nurtured by faith in the word of God. Jesus said "...the words I speak they are spirit and they are life" (John 6:63). Feasting on the word of God provides essential spiritual food. This nourishment provides the mind with food for thought-for hope at all times and in all circumstances.

Could you be filled with hope if you knew that no matter how you lived your life it would end in martyrdom? Could you be filled with hope if you were very zealous and quick to defend Jesus Christ, if you were the instrument used by God to explain how to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, if you were the vessel God used to show that the Gentiles could also receive the Holy Spirit, if God performed great miracles through you, if a deceitful man and woman fell dead at your feet as a witness to the church to show through whom God was working, if you were the apostle to the circumcision, or if you were one of the leading apostles and spokesmen. Could you be filled with hope if you had done all these things and you knew your life would end through crucifixion?

The apostle Peter lived his life of faith and hope with this knowledge. He is undoubtedly the apostle of hope. No wonder he admonishes us to, "...gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and HOPE to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 1:13). The life of the apostle Peter dramatically demonstrates that God has called us to eternal life and not just physical deliverance. Peter the apostle of HOPE--knowing how he was going to die -- dramatically shows us that his hope was not set on the things of this world. Yet he made a difference in this life. He became a living sacrifice and dedicated his life to feeding God's sheep.

Are you filled with hope? Does the big picture burn brightly in your mind? Are you committed to fighting the good fight of faith and hope despite the conditions of this present evil age?

Do you think you could turn around the whole direction, attitude, and atmosphere of a drug-infested, crime-ridden, poverty stricken inner city school? Could anyone? Jaime Escalante did. Garfield High in Los Angeles had never had a math student to receive advanced placement credit. Under the tutelage of Mr. Escalante, scores of students have received advanced placement credit. "Kemo," as he is affectionately called by his students, achieved this and much more. He gave them hope, when there was no hope. He was opposed at every turn by school administrators, teachers, parents, and students. But he calmly insisted and persisted with the idea that students will rise to the level of expectation.

He was able to convince students that the expectation was worth the price. You can do the same thing, whoever you are, and wherever you live. You can offer hope. You too, can stand and deliver.

Faith and hope are the handmaidens of victory and overcoming. "...For this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith, ... for we are saved by hope" (I John 5:4; Romans 8:24). Faith and hope center on believing God and doing what he says and keeping your eyes on the goal. Hope requires single mindedness. You cannot be filled with hope and be double minded. Hope requires whole heartedness. God has promised to strengthen our minds and hearts if we place our hope in him with our whole heart. "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the Lord" (Psalm 31:24).

Hope is kindled by tribulation, nourished through patience and confirmed through experience. So let's gird up the loins of our minds and hope, for our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The Father of all mercies and our anchor of faith and hope will see us through.