Proverbs 10:28
The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

I dreamed of playing professional baseball. But after my first year of competing at a college level, I came to a solemn realization that I didn’t have the “tools” for the next level. I wasn’t a bad player, just not good enough to get drafted to play professionally. Thankfully God doesn’t base his relationship with us on our “tool set”! 

A relationship with God is based entirely on grace, not personal characteristics or achievement. God will provide me with all I need to do the things he has called me to do. With Christ, our hope brings joy that life’s storms cannot dampen. It’s a joy that cannot rust, spoil, or fade. 

People can place their hope in a lot of things. But when hopes are attached to the wrong things, our expectations perish. Not so with God-given hope of joy. Based on the finished work of Christ, it will carry us into eternity. When the hope of Jesus is in us, our joy is complete! (John 15:11 NIV)

Father, we seek joy from many things. Help us to make sure that they are the right things. May we find complete joy in Jesus alone. In his name, we pray. Amen.