The God of Hope

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. " (Romans 15:13)

Here in America, we will often use the word hope and we will often use it in this context or setting. We are sitting at a restaurant or something similar, and we are there with another person awaiting someone else or perhaps a few others. What will often be said is something along the lines of, "Well I hope he will come," or "I hope everyone is coming." Not only that, but it is often followed by a statement like, "but I am not sure if they are." You see when we use hope in this way, we express a certain desire but also an uncertainty. That may be all well and good for dinner etiquette, but is that the hope the Bible speaks of? As Christians, does this describe our hope in God?

The Bible describes hope in the context of confident expectation. When it comes to God and His promises, the Scriptures make it clear that our hope is more than a desire to see these things come true. Hope, as it is described brings with it an expectation of fulfillment. In English we may use the word "hope" to express a desire without any expectation of fulfillment, but it is never used that way in the Scriptures. When we see the word "hope" in Scripture, it refers to something in the future anticipated with the same certainty as if it already happened. Biblical "hope" is not wondering and wishing! It is knowing and waiting!! It is confidence in God and what He has promised. "Through Him, you have confidence in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. " (1 Peter 1:21)

We have this certainty because of who God is and what He has done. A passage that I would encourage all of us to read often is (Hebrews 6:17-20). This passage talks about the hope set before us and how it is a sure and steadfast anchor to the soul. The words are very powerful and encouraging. Our hope is that just as Christ was raised from the dead, he has given Christians new life and will one day come back to take His followers with Him to heaven. (I Peter 1:3-5) God in His love has already given us "eternal comfort and good hope, " (2 Thess 2:16), and yet that hope will not be fully realized until Christ's return: "set your hopefully upon the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. " (1 Peter 1:13 )

Christians not only understand the certainty of "hope" (Eph 1:18) they are expected to be willing to explain it, giving others the opportunity to share that hope: "Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence. " (1 Peter 3:15) Hopefully, this message is a gentle reminder of the hope we should have in God, and let it anchor your soul. Eric