In order for hope to be meaningful, it has to be grounded in reality.

Last Friday, I knew that the Air Force Academy would be playing at 1:30p. An article in our local newspaper’s sports pages indicated that Air Force would be playing for a chance to win the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference. All they had to do, in addition to winning their game (they were favored by 18 points), was have either Boise State win or Utah State lose. Wow! That’s cool, I thought. There’s hope that Air Force could win their division and actually host the next week’s playoff game.

Not so fast. The article didn’t lie; it just left out some important information. Boise State (7 – 4) was playing San Diego State (10 – 1) at 10a, and San Diego State also was playing to win its division. Boise State lost by 11. Utah State (8 – 3) was playing New Mexico (3 – 8), also at 10a. Utah State won 35 – 10. So by the time Air Force kicked off, Utah State had already won the division. Air Force won its game 48 – 14, but it turns out Air Force’s hope was more of a long shot than a hope.

Our hope in Jesus is not a long shot.

And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15.12, 13, ESV)