Welcome to the Friday Evening meditation for October 15, 2010. It is being sent to you on Thursday, October 14, in celebration of the successful rescue yesterday of 33 Chilean miners trapped in the San Jose Mine in Chile for the past 69 days. The rescue was completed last night, and it's time to praise God for what has been done in Chile. This week's FE is entitled "Hope."  

 

Hope

Tom Barnard

 

“My heart is glad, and…my flesh also will rest in hope.”

(Psalm 16:9)

 

“Hope is the medicine I use more than any other—

hope can cure nearly anything.”

Dr. McNair Wilson, Cardiologist

 

In his excellent devotional book, Hope for Each Day (J. Countryman, Thomas Nelson, 2002), Dr. Billy Graham wrote, “Perhaps the greatest psychological, spiritual, and medical need that all people have is the need for hope.” Coming from an evangelist, not from a scientist, these words were not intended to be firm conclusions from psychology, religion, or medicine. But they are reasonable conclusions from a minister who has observed human behavior for more than sixty years.

 

Hope is a critical component of the human personality. It affects agnostics as well as believers. It impacts children, youth, and adults. It was included in the writings of the psalmist David and the poet Dante. The apostle Paul coined one of the most loved phrases in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 13:13): “There are three things that will endure—faith, hope, and love….” Paul’s primary emphasis was love, but hope was right there along with faith—a powerful trilogy.

 

At the funeral of Susannah Wesley—mother of John and Charles Wesley—the following poem was read at the service. The first stanza included these words:

 

In sure and steadfast hope to rise,

And claim her mansion in the skies,

A Christian here her flesh laid down,

The cross exchanging for a crown.

 

You may not be yearning for a crown just yet. A little hope here and there will do. If so, join the psalmist in his song, “My heart is glad, and my flesh also will rest in hope.”

 

One more thought. Chilean miner #32 was recued Wednesday night from the San Jose Mine—the next-to-last miner to be brought to safety. He and his wife celebrated the birth of their new daughter last month, when his survival was very much in doubt. They previously had agreed to a name for their unborn daughter. But after the mine collapse in Chile occurred, the new parents decided to name their daughter, “Esperanza.” Esperanza in Spanish is HOPE! An exceptional story, and an exceptional name.

 

Heavenly Father, I know heaven waits for me when I die. But I am not quite ready to die yet, so in the meantime I pray that you will flood my heart with hope. In fact, let me include faith and love in my prayer request today. I need them all. In the strong Name of Jesus I pray. Amen