There was a time when I hoped
I would get my own driver’s license and drive on my own; when I hoped I would
graduate from college with a BS degree and then later on with a Masters degree;
when I hoped I would marry a wonderful woman; when I hoped I would travel to
another continent on a missions trip; when I hoped I would be able to father a
son and daughter. The list goes on of various hopes I’ve had in my life and the
examples above have come true and there has been great joy in them.
Hope, in general, is an
expectation of something good to happen in the future (Rom. 8:23-25). One child
said this at bedtime, “Now I lay me down to rest; I hope to pass tomorrow’s
test. If I should die before I wake, that’s one less test I have to take.”
I asked one of my sons out of
the blue, “What do you hope for?” His answer, “My own smart phone and a new
car.” I can relate since I’ve hoped for such things at various times in my
life. And that’s how we are about hope at times, to some degree; that we want
better things that we think will make us happier and/or our life better. People
may hope in many things; certain achievements to happen, certain relationships
to come to fruition or improve, a bigger house and better automobiles, the dream
bucket list items to check off, and the like. It can be okay to have hope
toward such things, for God-honoring reasons, but there are greater things to
hope for.
“Hope looks for the good in
people instead of harping on the worst in them. Hope opens doors where despair
closes them. Hope discovers what can be done instead of grumbling about what
cannot be done. Hope draws its power from a deep trust in God and the basic
goodness of mankind. Hope "lights a candle" instead of "cursing
the darkness." Hope regards problems, small or large, as opportunities.
Hope cherishes no illusions, nor does it yield to cynicism.” Unknown author
Some people are desperate for
hope and are clinging to hope by a thin margin. Perhaps, there has been the
death of a loved one, or life is deteriorating quickly, or there are very
difficult circumstances and sufferings being experienced. Fortunately, there is
always hope in God for the living (people, that is).
In contrast to hope, there
are feelings and thoughts of despair, hopelessness, gloom and doom, and a sense
of nothing good to look forward to. This is no way to truly live and this is
not how God wants us to live.
The psalm writer of Psalms
42-43 was deeply discouraged (i.e. despondent: downcast, downhearted) about something
but chose to hope in God.
Psalm
42:5 ESV Why are you cast down, O my soul, and
why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I
shall again praise him, my salvation
Abraham was promised by God
to be the father of many generations but as Abraham became quite old, around
100 years old, without children, he must have wondered when and if he would
ever have kids. But his hope was in the Lord and the promises of God because
Abraham believed what God promised would come true. Abraham had hope in God and
His promises regardless of his circumstances.
Rom. 4:18-23 NLT Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” 19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. 20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. 23 And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded
See also Rom. 4:17, 23-25
Rom. 4:18-23 NLT Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” 19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. 20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. 23 And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded
See also Rom. 4:17, 23-25
Hope is the physician of
every misery. Irish Proverb
The Holy Bible teaches that God
is the God of hope (Rom. 15:13). And as we believe Him and trust Him day by
day you and I can grow in God-centered hope. God is amazing and does the
amazing. He creates something out of nothing. He does the impossible. He saves
that which is lost. He says things will come to pass and they do come to pass.
There is no greater power, love, source of hope and reason to hope than God.
“When you say a situation or
a person is hopeless, you're slamming the door in the face of God.” Charles L.
Allen
Here are some more key Bible
truths about hope.
Jesus is referred to as
the Blessed Hope and our hope (Tit.
2:13, 1 Tim. 1:1) because He is the Creator, Savior, and Lord and source of
eternal life and the source of abundant life (Titus. 3:7, Col. 1:5, John
10:10m John 10:28, Heb. 12:2). He gives His redeemed a living hope (1 Pet.
1:3-5). By God’s grace through faith in Christ one can have eternal life, true
life. This is our greatest hope, a hope for eternal life in Christ and for God’s
intended life for us now.
“The resurrection of Jesus
Christ is our hope today. It is our assurance that we have a living Savior to
help us live as we should now, and that when, in the end, we set forth on that
last great journey, we shall not travel an uncharted course, but rather we
shall go on a planned voyage—life to death to eternal living.” Raymond
MacKendree
The Bible teaches there are some
who have no hope (because they are separate from Christ, from God).
Eph. 2:12 ESV remember that you were at that time
separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers
to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were
far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
See also 1 Thess. 4:13
We can experience hope
through God’s Word.
Rom.
15:4 ESV For whatever was written in former days was written for our
instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures
we might have hope. See also Ps.
119:114
Christ-centered hope is
important; in fact, it is one of the three top virtues of the Christian life
(i.e. faith, hope, and love; 1 Cor. 13:13).
Hope and faith in God go
together.
Heb.
11:1 NLT Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will
actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Also 1 Pet. 1:20
There
is a patience of hope that honors God.
1 Thes. 1:2 NKJV We give thanks to God always for you all,
making mention of you in our prayers, 3remembering without ceasing your work of
faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our
Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
“Hope has a thick skin and
will endure many a blow; it will put on patience as a vestment, it will wade
through a sea of blood, it will endure all things if it be of the right kind,
for the joy that is set before it. Hence patience is called "patience of
hope," because it is hope that makes the soul exercise patience and
long-suffering under the cross, until the time comes to enjoy the crown.” John
Bunyan (1628-1688)
God’s people are to rejoice
in hope (Rom. 12:12) and give others the reason for the Christ-centered
hope you have in your life (1 Pet. 3:15).
There
is joy and gladness for God-honoring people with hope (Prov. 10:28).
Rom. 5:5 NKJV Now hope does not
disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the
Holy Spirit who was given to us.
We
please God
(Ps. 147:11) and are blessed people (Ps. 146:5) when we have hope in
God.
Does eternally significant
hope come from God and/or do you and I have responsibility in choosing hope? I
believe the answer is both.
Jer.
29:11 (ESV) For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for
evil, to give you a future and a hope. See also Ps. 62:5, Rom. 15:13
Ps.
71:14 (ESV) But I will hope continually and
will praise you yet more and more.
Ps.
78:7 (ESV) so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but
keep his commandments;
Hope is essential according
to God’s plan for you and me. Are you experiencing a living hope in Christ
right now? How do you let others know about your hope in God and His promises?
“Hope, the balm and lifeblood
of the soul.” John Armstrong
So God has given both his promise and
his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to
lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as
we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This
hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through
the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. 20 Jesus
has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the
order of Melchizedek. Heb. 6:18-20 (NLT)
Christ-centered hope is like
an anchor of fuel and medicine for the soul. Hope in the Lord God Almighty!
What do you think about what
I’ve compiled here about hope in God?
Mike
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