be joyful in hope

I wondered why God asks us to be joyful in hope? I can understand why He reminds us to be faithful in prayer -- so many times in hardships we slack off in prayer. I can also understand why God asks us to be patient in affliction -- patience is hard to master when you're hurting.

But why does God say to be joyful in hope? Obviously, there must be many times when we lack joy in hope. Think about it for a moment. The focus of our hope is yet to be fulfilled; we don't yet possess that for which we hope. And you'll definitely agree with me that it's hard to be joyful about something we don't yet have!

Lying in bed, it hit home that God wants me to be joyful about future things. Just as we have the command to be faithful in prayer and patient in affliction, we have a command to be joyful in hope. How can God command joy? It's easy once we realize what's over the heavenly horizon.

Does the idea of heavenly glories above put a smile on your face? Do you get charge when you talk about the return of the Lord? Heaven will seem more near and real to you as you stir up your joy over that for which you hope. And remember, it's a command for your own good.