Yes, there is Hope in 2026

2025 was a turbulent year. It has been a year of change. A lot of people are waking up and searching for meaning and purpose and something to place their hope in. While it is easy to allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by our news feeds we must keep in mind that what is posted online is not necessarily a full representation of the truth. If you want to look for what’s wrong in the world you will find it. There is plenty to be concerned about but the problem is you usually don’t hear the good news because it doesn’t get as many clicks.

• “If we only listen to the voices of fear, we miss the ways God is still moving in the world.”
• “In recent years, Bible sales in the U.S. have risen significantly, with 2025 sales up about 11% over 2024 and more than 18 million Bibles sold this year alone, reflecting growing interest in Scripture. AP News”
• “Research indicates that Christianity is rapidly growing in Iran, with estimates of between 800,000 and 3 million believers — many of whom are converts from Muslim backgrounds.
• “Estimates of the Christian population in China show a large community, with figures ranging into the tens of millions and possibly over 100 million believers.

“None of this denies the reality of hardship — but it reminds us that God has not abandoned the world.”

We are called to be a people of hope but hope is more than just positive thinking or well wishing. or a feeling that relies on the news of the Day. Our hope as based in something that is more sure, that is solid and unchanging.  hope  affects how we prioritize our lives. it shapes how we look at the world and move forward in life.

Paul explains this hope that we have in Christ.

(1) Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. (2) Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. (3) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 

(4) And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. (5) And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. 
Romans 5:1-5 – NLT

1.  Be careful what you place your hope in –notice it says that there is a confidence and joy with which we look forward. let me ask you something., does that sound like you today. or is it more like Dread and anxiety. Christians, we know the right answer is that our hope is in Christ. But if that is true than where is our joy and confidence?

if we lack joy and confidence could that be an indicator that maybe we are dividing our hope between Jesus and Money, or Jesus and other people, or Jesus and politics.

Many place there hope in money or their own abilities but circumstances can change and you can find yourself not in the place that you planned for. Many place there hope in people but people are not always reliable, they make mistakes and can let you down. But Jesus will never let you down.

2. How do we fully place our hope in Christ? 

A. you must see yourself as Christ’s agent in this world and your mission is to bring glory to God by how you treat people and use the resources he has blessed you with.

i have witnessed in my own life that my joy increases when i understand its all for God. it also has helped push me past my own preferences. You know, when you feel like just not doing what you should. There is a joy and a new found confidence on the other side of self denial. That experience is what I believe Paul is expressing here.

A big part of changing that mindset is to anchor ourselves.

B. You must anchor your hope in God’s promises rather than your immediate circumstances

(19) 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

An anchor keeps a boat from moving with the waves. The entire Bible is full of his promises and studying them helps us to be steady, unchanging and anchored in him.

C. When you hope is place in Christ you can be not only joyful but also confident in your prayers.

the 2nd part of this verse speaks of access to God. The curtain in the temple Separated the most holy place from the rest of the sanctuary. this is where the ark of the covenant that was an earthly representation of God’s throne in heaven was. it was where God’s presence would rest and where the high priest would enter once a year with the blood of the sacrifice. For the sins of Israel.

when Jesus was crucified. he was the ultimate offering for sin and the curtain was torn in two. symbolizing that under the new covenant access to God was open to all who would receive Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for their sins. So we know have this Access to God’s throne in heaven. this is why Paul says

Hebrews 4: 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

when we pray we are in the presence of God before his throne in heaven. And he hears us.

Conclusion: I pray that as we enter this new year we would enter with hope and joy and confidence that God is going to us to reach this world for him. don’t let the news overwhelm you. place your hope in Christ and him alone.

Reflection Questions:

1. What am I truly placing my hope in?
2. How is that hope shaping my direction?
3. What would change if my hope was fully anchored in Christ?