At one time, young women had hope chests — a place to keep household goods and that special embroidered tablecloth for when she would hopefully meet and marry Mr. Right. If marriage wasn’t part of her life’s journey, she had plenty of items to start her backup plan.

The Christian “hope chest” is filled with the sure hope of God’s promises, equipping us for our journey: We who are baptized into His death will be raised with Him (Romans 3:4- 5), He will never leave you (Hebrews 13:5), He has plans to give you hope for the future (Jeremiah 29:11). No need for the backup plan.

Forget that tablecloth because He prepares a table before

you (Psalm 23:5).