When I give my Christian testimony, I usually make two statements. Because of Christ in my life, I’ve never been alone, and I’ve never been without hope.

Both of those statements are true in my life and true to the Christian Gospel.

In many ways I’ve never been alone, but the most important way is because of the indwelling Spirit in my life. I love and appreciate Psalm 139:,“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your Presence?” (Psalm 139:7). Even before the advent of Christ, the people of God knew of His presence and power over them.

Today I want to emphasize how I’ve never been without hope.

I’ve often mentioned that as long as there is God there is hope. That’s true, of course, but there is even a better reason for hope than that. The best reason is what God has said through His Word.

The Apostle Paul told  the Colossian Christians about the hope laid up for them in heaven. “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints because of the hope reserved for you in heaven” (Colossians 1:3-5). God has hope laid up for us in heaven. Isn’t it wonderful that our hope is “reserved” in heaven?

Here’s what makes that promise so significant.

First, this hope is significant because of its security. Paul said it is laid up (and waiting for you) in heaven. Whatever you and I have waiting for us in heaven is secure and can be counted on. Not many things in life can be counted on, but the hope we have in Christ is guaranteed. No matter what the people of Colossae experienced in life they knew they had a secure hope waiting for them with the Father above. We have been promised the same hope.

Second, this hope will find its greatest fulfillment in the future. While this hope is real and present, we will only experience the fullness of it when we receive our eternal reward in heaven.

Sometimes I miss the significance of what is awaiting us. Because of God’s blessings on earth we sometimes forget about the multiplied blessings in heaven. “This is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen , no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). What God has prepared is better than advertised!

Third, this hope we have is in the future. We await a day of great blessing when we will see Him as He is, and we will be “home.”

Let us live as people of hope.

Each day I write an article about Pastoral Leadership and Christian Living. If you would like to receive your own free copy each morning, you can sign up at waylonbailey.com or in the box below.