“For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its tender shoots will not cease” (Job 14:7).
Hope and faith are intertwined. The line between them is very thin. However, while hope is futuristic, faith is more about the present. Hope is to cherish a desire with anticipation. A dream is defined as a cherished hope. While hope holds the future in view, faith downloads portions of the future into present reality. While faith obtains, hope sustains and upholds the desires till they become realities.
A notable Christian author said when there is hope in the future, there is power in the present. Hope is also rightly defined as faith in the future. People commit heinous crimes, commit suicides and engage in several ungodly acts partly because they don’t have confidence in the future. Hope, when it is alive and based on the truth of the Word of God is a very potent force (Ecclesiastes 9:4). Below are some considerations about hope:
1. Hope is a necessity: Hope is waiting on God for the fulfillment of His Word and promises to us. There is need to wait on the Lord because God will not make all His plans for us happen overnight or within one year. God does not make overnight successes, rather He makes people successful over many nights. Joseph, though had the promise had to wait 13 years to become Governor of Egypt. Abraham had to hope against all hope for 25 years before the fulfillment of his son, Isaac.
2. God is a God of hope: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). Apostle Paul affirmed in this scripture that God is a God of hope. He further prayed that the church will abound in hope. God has some desires concerning His church that He is anticipating on. He is hoping His church will come to maturity and also to the fullness of Christ. He is patiently and long-sufferingly hoping that His church will align herself fully to His will.
3. The consummation of our faith will occur by hope: Consummate means complete in every detail. The conclusion of every genuine Christian is glorious and honorable. There is a day of glory awaiting every true Christian. We look forward to this glorious day of transformation and translation by hope (1 John 3:2-3). Three virtues: Faith, Hope and Love transcend time into eternity. One of the three is hope in Christ. Jesus Christ in us is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). We have the hope of resurrection that as Jesus rose from the grave, we will also rise to a glorious dawn whenever we leave this part of eternity.
4. Hope does not disappoint: False hope disappoints but genuine hope based on God’s Word does not disappoint. It was revealed to Simeon in Luke 2:25 that he was going to set his eyes on Jesus, the Messiah. This hope kept Simeon alive till Jesus was brought into the temple in Jerusalem for dedication. The Bible says surely there is a future and a hope, and the expectations of the righteous shall not be cut off (Proverbs 23:18). It is God's intention to perform His good word for our future and also bring us to a desired haven (Jeremiah 29:10-14).
5. Hope is an anchor: Our hope in Christ is like an anchor that holds in the storm (Hebrews 6:19). Just like the ship is anchored to the shore and isn’t swayed nor carried away by the waves of the sea, hope will not allow us to be carried away by the storms of life. We live in perilous times, darkness has released its fangs and it’s on the rampage but the Bible enjoins the Christian to arise and shine the light of God. One sure way to arise is to arise in hope because our Redeemer, Jesus Christ lives forever.
CONCLUSION: Hope is powerful if only it is focused on God and His word. Many people operate in false hope that will not bring them a successful outcome. What is your hope based upon? Is it based on Christ the solid rock?
Have a blessed new month in Jesus name.
Ade(Gboyega) ESAN
www.rccgpittsburgh.net
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