This afternoon I heard part of a podcast featuring an interview with Carl Trueman, theologian and author of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self. After discussing the issues raised in the book and the impact on much of western culture, the interviewer asked if he could provide some optimism for those listening and for Christians in general.

He responded that optimism is too often associated with a kind of polyanna view of the world where every situation has a necessarily happy ending. Instead, he offered that the Christian should have great confidence in the promise of Christ- “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

No matter what happens in my life or yours, the church will ultimately prevail and so our hope is in Christ. And I am reminded of this passage as well –

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

And finally consider the hope found in this familiar passage from Habbakuk’s conclusion –

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.

Habakkuk 3:17-19