No Trace

Have you ever traced something and found it to be a pretty good rendering of the real thing?  After His death, Jesus’ followers must surely have wondered many things: what just happened? what next?  The greatest question must have been what hope do we have now? With the appearances of the Risen Savior and the coming of The Holy Spirit, their hearts were encouraged and hope renewed!  “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 15:13).  Circumstances of life can tempt us to lose hope but life is not without hope – that is, Hope securely rooted in Christ.  All other hopes – worldly, temporal, passing things – are only traces, and not the real thing!  Hopelessness was put to an end when the tomb became empty on the third day!  Like the psalmist, the Rock and Fortress of Hop was discovered: “But I will hope continually, and will yet praise Thee more and more.” (Psalm 71:14).  Let us never settle for traces of hope but find lasting and joyous Hope in the Risen Christ!