What Is Hope?

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   How many ways do we use the word 'hope'? I hope my Dodgers will be healthy enough going into the playoffs to win another World Series title. I hope my pickup has enough fuel to get me to the gas station. I hope we will have enough money to make it through the month. Maybe you hope your kids will turn out well. Perhaps you watched the Charlie Kirk memorial service, and you hope something good will come out of this tragedy. However we use the word 'hope,' it commonly is in the context of something being unknown in the future, and we usually equate it with wishful thinking.

   This is not the biblical idea of hope. Look at what Paul says in Romans 5:1-5, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into the grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. and not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the Love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

   Biblical hope is sure and certain because it finds its source in the God who exists outside of time. We have hope because we have peace with God through Jesus Christ, a peace that is not dependent upon our continued good works but by faith. We have hope because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Biblical hope is certain because it has as its object the triune God who is unchanging and who fulfills His promises.

   Perhaps you are going through some difficult times in your life. You are facing conflicts in your home. You are seeing potential job prospects go away. You try to take a stand for your faith only to be rejected by people who once were trusted friends or acquaintances. The outlook may seem bleak at best, and you don't know what to do. Remember, our hope is not built on our circumstances or on anything we can perceive. In the words of the old hymn, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand."