—Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Morning and Evening (15 January, Morning)
Hope is the ultimate submission. When I hope in God's promises, I place His Word, His power, and His goodness before anything else that might seem true to my sensibilities. When I refuse to risk on Him in this way, I stubbornly deny that He is who He says He is. This is a foolish thing, because He doesn't need my belief to be God, He doesn't need my obedience to be sovereign, and He doesn't need my approval to be good.
I only cut myself off from His limitless resources when I do not actively hope in His promises—and even then, by His grace He breaks through, loves me, and works on my behalf! But how much better if I align my heart with His overriding reality, if I depend upon the faithful love of my Abba, if I dare to hope in Him?