Last week's December readings for our Sunday sermons focused on HOPE. The Bible talks of hope a lot. Verse after verse after verse refers to our assured hope in our Savior and our God. Ephesians 1:18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. Ephesians 4:4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. Colossians 1:4-5 For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News. On and on and on goes hope.
Now, when I read these verses, I get a little confused. When I think of hope, I think of a "maybe." For example, "I hope we have good weather for the picnic." Or, "I hope I get we make it safely to our destination." It's not a sure thing. The picnic could be rained out and the car could break down causing our trip to be delayed or canceled. But when the Bible talks of hope, it is putting hope in sure things. We are told in 2 Corinthians 1:20 For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. All the promises we have in Christ are assured. They are a reality, albeit, in some instances, a reality yet to come. So how do we "hope" in God's promises when we know they are a sure thing? Isn't that knowing, not hoping?
I've had this bit of confusion for a long time. LOL And finally, as I was reading the daily passages last week, the Lord explained it. The world's hope is a maybe. The Lord's hope is a definite. They are simply two different kinds of hope. Now, I know most people may have figured this out long ago....but I guess I just took a little longer to get there. LOL Two different kinds of hope! Wow, who knew!!
The Bible gets hope from the Greek words elpizo/elpis. And the meaning behind these words is to expect, trust, anticipate with pleasure or confidence. When I look in the dictionary it says "the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best: to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence. to believe, desire, or trust: to feel that something desired may happen." But they also have an archaic definition which is "to place trust; rely (usually followed by in)." Our hope in our God is a trust and reliance...it's a confidence. The worldly hope seems to have come to mean "I wish" for something. I like the Biblical definition of hope better!
How comforting is this hope we have? How wonderful is our Lord? He gives us this hope, He is worthy of our reliance and trust. Our hope will not disappoint when it is placed in Him! There is no "I wish." in His Word. There is no "maybe." All His promises are yes and amen! We can rest in that hope.
Lord, let Your hope bring peace to our hearts, and confidence to our spirits. Help us to overcome discouragement with the hope that is in Jesus our Savior. Hallelujah! It is finished....our hope is complete in Jesus. Amen and amen!
Rest in the hope of Christ. If discouragement is knocking on the door of your heart, dig into the hope that we have in Jesus. Hide there. He is our Rock.
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