There's a song called "Beauty Will Rise" and I love it. I love it for so many reasons. One of the things that stands out is the way it builds in the middle and he sings repeatedly about "this is our hope, this is our promise". There's something about hope and promise that is so powerful. This part in the song compels me to stop what I'm doing, if it's up loud enough, and full out sing and really engage with the truth of the words. It usually involves a quick dance as well, because what song doesn't if it really engages me?

Saying that we have hope in the midst of pain or hardship is like we're putting ourselves right in the middle of a battle. The battle over our heart. Thinking, saying, singing, or shouting our hope, the hope that rests in the goodness of Jesus, is like raising a sword and declaring to the enemy swarming around us that we're not going to lay down and die with our troubles. It's kind of a crazy thing though. Hope isn't actually a thing. Hope is unseen. This sword I picture is being raised in righteous defiance. The sword is actually hope itself. Hope is strong. Promise is full of life.

I'm not strong on my own. My strength, enduring strength comes from trusting in the goodness and provision of my God, my Redeemer. This enables me to raise my sword and shout about hope and promise.