My name is Grace Chaves, and I'm NewReleaseToday's News Editor. The majority of the content I write for NRT is news, but I also love writing devotionals. My passion is to share Jesus with as many people as I can through writing, and I wanted a space where I could do that on NewReleaseToday. Jesus has done so much in my life, and I want to share the hope that I've found in Him. Every month, I'll be writing devotionals based on three songs that all share a common theme. After a lot of brainstorming, we settled on the name A Trinary Reflection. Trinary means three, representing the three songs that we'll be reflecting on in each devotional. Plus, it sounds super cool and futuristic, right?!
To kick off this series, I'd like to talk about hope.
After a year like 2020, with the anxiety continuing into all corners of life, I think we're all searching for some hope. The infamous 2020 was filled with disappointment after disappointment. It felt like everything was shaken. Where do we put our hope when everything we know has been stripped away? Life can change at any moment. Me, I had to learn that the hard way–multiple times–and I find myself leaning into what I've learned all over again.
It's easy to get comfortable where you're at. And, when change comes, it can be devastating. We can try to put our hope in temporary things, family and friends–but they can fail us. The only one who will never fail us is Jesus. He's our only hope.
Many Christian artists are trying to deliver messages of hope. So, we're highlighting three songs that are emphasizing this hope that we can find in Jesus.
Switchfoot "Hope is the Anthem"
Hope is a message that Switchfoot has been conveying to its fans for 24 years. Their song "Hope is the Anthem" feels like the best way to start my new devotional series. Switchfoot sings about hope, but people also talk a lot about it. Unfortunately, hope is something many people don't have. Life is hard, and as I said earlier, life changes a lot. That's why we need an anchor, something that we can hold on to. We need an anthem, even if it's "an anthem played on broken strings."
In 2018, I needed this kind of hope. For me, 2018 was filled with challenges. My sister had to have two major emergency surgeries, and our family had to care for my three-year-old niece. It literally felt like "the valley of the shadow of death" like we read about in Psalm 23. There was so much anxiety and uncertainty, and we didn't know what the next day would bring. "When will life get back to normal?" was a question constantly circling in my head. Jesus was truly my only hope.
In the end, God worked everything out. And, although this family suffering was one of the hardest seasons in my life, I learned so much from it. I realized that I need Jesus like I need oxygen. I learned that without Him, I'm powerless. I learned that I need an anthem. I need hope that doesn't fade away when challenges hit. And, I found my hope in Jesus.
He's our song and the reason why we can press on. As mentioned in Deuteronomy 31:6, people will let us down, but Jesus promises that He'll never leave us or forsake us. We can try to rely on our friends for comfort, but what happens if one day they walk away? Thankfully, Jesus will never walk away. He's our firm foundation. He's our anthem.
"My heartbeat, my oxygen/My banner, my home/My future, my song/Your hope is the anthem of my soul."
Tenth Avenue North "I Have This Hope"
"I Have This Hope" by Tenth Avenue North has always been one of my favorite songs. I was hooked upon first listen. There's a line that sticks out to me every time I hear this song. "Was there purpose for the pain?/Did I cry these tears in vain?" We've all asked similar questions like these before. I know I have.
Thankfully, nothing is ever wasted with God. He has a way of using even the darkest of circumstances for our good and His ultimate glory. There's a reason we go through hardships, and that's a hope that we can hold on to. There's always a reason for the pain that we face–even if it takes a long time to see.
For example, I've dealt with anxiety for years–and still do from time to time. I didn't think there would ever be a purpose for the pain I felt. When you're dealing with anxiety and all of the effects it can have on you, it can be hard to think that any good could come out of it. But, trust me, so much good can come out of it.
I've been able to tell other people my story. And, I know that one day God could use my story to bring freedom to someone else. It may be hard to see right now, but God can use your story to bring freedom and hope to someone. So, yes, I believe there truly is a purpose for the pain. That's hope that I'm holding on to.
"I have this hope/In the depth of my soul/In the flood or the fire, you're with me and you won't let go."
Phil Wickham, "Living Hope"
"Living Hope" by Phil Wickham is a song that our former church used to sing all the time. Almost every week. When singing any song too often, it's easy to forget the power in the lyrics. Once I stepped back and listened to the song with a fresh perspective, I realized that there is so much power and joy in these words. The song is a reminder that Jesus is alive, and because of that, we have hope.
We can confidently walk in faith, knowing that Jesus will be by our side through whatever we face. He conquered death, and He has brought us new life. We don't need to fear because we have a living hope. That's so comforting to me. During those moments when life feels like it's going out of control, I need a living hope. I'm so grateful that even in our loneliness, Jesus will be there to comfort us. Even in times of sorrow, Jesus will sympathize with us. Jesus is everything we need. And, He is alive.
I pray that as you go throughout your week, you'll be reminded that there is hope. You aren't going to find it in material things or your friends or family. You'll find the hope that you need in Jesus. Don't ever lose sight of that.
"Hallelujah, praise the one who set me free/Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me/You have broken every chain/There's salvation in your name/Jesus Christ, my living hope."
Grace Chaves has been a fan of all things Christian music since 2016. She is NRT's news editor, and one of NRT's youngest writers. Homeschooled, Grace is an author, loves Jesus, concerts, and road trips.
NEW!BEHIND THE SONG
#1296 - Mary-Clair
A candid conversation about faith, vulnerability, and finding God
ADVERTISEMENT
NEW!MOVIE REVIEW Miracle
NRT reviews the new movie after attending the premiere
NEW!SERIES REVIEW
A Night At Wingfeather
We attended the show's premiere of the Angel Studios animated show
NEW!NRT LISTS
Worship Into 2026
Standout new worship releases that invite the Church to sing and reflect
NEW!THE CHH DROP
#261 - Gavin the Hotrod
What's new this week in Christian rap and hip-hop
