Keep Hope Alive

By: Kathie Welch

Monday, September 15, 2025

...we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4

Joseph's story in Genesis has always inspired me. Early on, we learn Jacob loved Joseph more than his brothers. This will eventually cause them to hate him. Joseph fueled their hatred by telling his father everything his brothers did wrong. When God gave Joseph two dreams about his future, his brothers hated him even more when he told them they bowed down to him in the dreams. Joseph’s naivety about his dreams, and Jacob’s blatant favoritism set the stage for his brother's sin. They were plotting to kill him, but God intervened and changed their minds. Instead of killing him they sold him to some Ishmaelite traders.

To hide their sin his brothers soaked his robe in animals' blood and lied to their father. In Egypt, Joseph lacked the love and favor of his earthly father, but he still had the love and favor of his Heavenly Father. God empowered him to excel at everything he did, so he was eventually asked to oversee Potiphar's house. When Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of assault, Joseph was banished to prison.

Two bitter betrayals put Joseph in two different types of pits. The second one was a dark, damp prison. The favored son was in the worst place imaginable, but he never lost hope. Joseph trusted God and believed those dreams would eventually come true. Joseph's faith motivated and inspired him to experience God's presence in the darkest places!

How about you? Are you in a dark place right now? Is your situation so difficult you can't see a way out? Is your hope wavering? If any of these questions hit close to home, don't give up! Instead, read and meditate on this verse:

Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 (NASB)

God is always faithful, and the hope He gives is eternal. But our hope has a name, and His name is Jesus! Christ follower, the same God who lifted Joseph out of the pit and placed him in the palace will lift you out too!

Douse those doubts and fan your flame of hope! But remember, real hope (eternal hope) is only found in Jesus!