MCB CAMP LEJEUNE -- In early August 1950, American and Republic of Korea troops established the Pusan Perimeter. Bevin Alexander’s Korea: The First War We Lost details how our troops held that land for about the next month and a half until the historic amphibious landing at Inchon (Sept. 15-16, 1950).
Can you imagine the hope that was brimming within our troops at the Pusan Perimeter? They knew that the Inchon landing would soon cut off the enemy’s tenuous line of communications and supplies. The day after Inchon, our troops were excited to extend past the perimeter and attack the demoralized enemy.
On the other hand, can you imagine the crushing blow to the hope of North Korean troops at the perimeter, knowing that their supplies and communications would soon be cut off? However, Chapter 30 of Alexander’s book explains that North Korean leaders didn’t immediately tell those troops about the landing at Inchon! Consequently, North Korean troops at the perimeter continued to fight “with their customary doggedness and ferocity.”
The takeaway is that hope plays a huge role in how well our troops fight. With hope, it is also easier for us to encounter all types of challenges with enthusiasm and our best effort. Without hope, our crushed spirits lack motivation.
As a chaplain, I’ve counseled many people who lack hope when facing struggles in their personal life. Perhaps it’s a bad habit they have tried to stop for years, and they have no hope of victory. For counselees who are interested in hearing a biblical perspective, I can offer a lot of hope.
Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope.”
Notice how God is described. He is the God of hope, the one who gives hope. For that to be significant, we need to properly define hope. This isn’t hoping to win the sweepstakes. It isn’t the hope that Chicago Cubs fans had between their 1908 and 2016 World Series wins or hoping that next year could be “the year.” Biblical hope is a certain expectation because it relies on an almighty, unchanging God.
Notice how much hope God brings. He gives more than what’s sufficient. To “abound in hope” means to overflow with an excessive amount of hope.
We have a God of hope, and having a personal relationship with this God will bring abundant hope no matter what struggle we face. God has always been true to his word, and that will never change.
So, are you deficient in hope? Draw closer to the God of hope so that you can meet your daily challenges with a confident expectation.
The Chaplain’s Corner covers everything faith related. Facts not attributed are purely the opinion of the writer.