Hope: In Christ Alone

 What is hope?  Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

The song “In Christ Alone” by Stuart Townend is one of my favorites.  The song speaks to me and makes me think about my relationship with Christ.  However, most importantly, the song lifts me up on a rough day and reminds me to place my hope and trust in the Lord’s almighty hands.  


The song starts “In Christ alone my hope is found.”  What does this mean?  To me, it means that I rely on nothing else but God’s plan for my life.  No matter how great things are going in my life, or how bad things may be going.  No matter if I have my dream job, or I do not have a job at all.  Whether I’m healthy as can be, or I’m sick- In Christ alone, my hope is found.  


To a Christian, hope should be a confident assurance when things may not seem clear.  Too often, people (including Christians) place our hope in other things.  We place our hope in our plans over God’s plans.  Many have heard the saying that sometimes when God hears our plans He just laughs.  Our hope should rest in the One that gives us life, breath, peace, and so much more.  At times, we, as human, may put out hopes in the wrong things.  We may place our hope in some of the worldly things.  Or we may place all of our hope into a friend or family member.  Yet, we have a Father who we can place all our hope in and know that he makes all things work for our good. 

For I know the plans I have for you. declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

The Lord always has our best interest in mind.  He has plans for us to succeed and to prosper.  The Lord’s definition of success may not be the definition of success to a friend or co-worker.  However, we are called to live lives pleasing to Christ and not to our fellow man.  When we place our hope in Christ, all our hope in Christ, there is no way we can lose.  He has the plans to give a great hope and a great future.  

Pray to him without ceasing and without any inch of doubt.  As we pray, we should turn over every situation to him- the situations that are not going well in our life and the ones that we think are perfect.  Place every situation in his hands and let it rest there.  Place your hope, faith, trust, and love in his hands.  Get the weight off of your shoulders.  As you place you hope in God’s hands, remember you are not leaving it in the hands of an average person- you place them in the hands of the One True King.  Place your hope in the One who fed thousands with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread, the one who can make the blind see, the one who can make the lame walk, and so much more.  Place all your hope in He who has never failed and never will fail. 

As you place your hope in Christ, encourage others to do the same.  Let them know the message of a Savior who will never leave them behind, nor fade away.  Let others know that in Christ alone your hope is found.

The final stanza of “In Christ Alone” says, 'Until he returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I stand.'  Stand in the power of Christ through the best of times and the worst of times.  He will guide you in the right direction each and every step of the way.  The first step is placing all your hope in Him.


Nicholas Buford