This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.

~Hebrews 6:19 NLT

Hope floats as fall approaches, and football season soon takes over our weekends and TV screens. I’m not sure what the draw is to football or sports in general, but there’s something about not knowing the outcome. Always hoping against hope that our team can pull it out in the last few minutes. Always thinking it’s possible, until it’s not. Then a player fumbles, the kicker bonks the football off the goalpost, or someone intercepts a pass. And we turn off the TV, because our fresh hope from earlier has failed. We need a hope that does not fail. 

As followers of Jesus, we have a hope that will not fail. A hope that allows us access to God Almighty. A hope rooted in the truth that Jesus is seated next to God the Father and is active and present in our lives.

Still in exile, Nehemiah clung to that hope while serving as cupbearer to the king in Persia. One day, he received news that the walls of Jerusalem were in ruins. Nehemiah mourned, fasted, and prayed. God stirred his heart to return to his homeland and lead the rebuilding of the gates and walls.

He rallied the people to build, but they met with opposition from outsiders. Then injustice arose from within. The Jews were hungry. Their own people charged them exorbitant interest rates for mortgages on their fields. They could either pay the interest or starve. Desperate, some even sold their children into slavery. Hopelessness settled like a heavy blanket.

Nehemiah confronted the Jews and demanded that they return the land and money. Despite all the pressures from the outside bullies and his own people, Nehemiah never took his eyes off God and the purpose He had for him: build the wall. His hope was grounded and steadfast in the faith that God’s gracious hand would remain on him and this project.

Some situations can make us want to give up hope. I almost did, believing that my sister would never come to know Jesus after decades of my praying for her. But God sent a minister to share the gospel, and she asked Jesus to rule her heart one month before she passed away. I also want to give up hope for my unsaved son-in-law. He seems so far from wanting to hear the truth and searches in the wrong places. Yet, I cling to the hope that God hears and cares about every one of my prayers.

My beloved Green Bay Packers have disappointed me in seasons past, as well as the Tennessee Volunteers. But Jesus? He is sure and secure—a bedrock and a fortress in discouraging times. A hope that will not fail.

Make sure your hope is anchored in Christ. 

Father, fill me with Your hope that does not fail. Help me to put my trust in You and You alone.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2025: A Hope That Does Not Fail: Sally Cressman: All Rights Reserved.