Things The Bible Says About Hope
This Christmas season is one filled with the message of hope that is found in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world! Yet, for many, this time of year is only a magnification of the hopelessness and despair that they feel inside. Whether this hopelessness comes from a loss of a loved one or a commercialized view of Christmas, the Bible has the truth about this matter. Here are five things the Bible says about hope.
1. Hope is Never Lost
Sometimes its difficult to see hope in a situation. But, the Bible says that true hope is unseen. And if we can be hopeful for one thing, such as our salvation, which is also unseen, then we can be hopeful for other things too. Its just that simple!
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? Romans 8:24
2. We can be Confident in Hope
We have now understood that hope is unseen. But, if its unseen, can we trust it? After all, we can trust the chair we sit in or the mug we pour our coffee into because we can see it. Likewise, there are things that we can trust without seeing. We can trust that our insurance company will cover a certain amount of losses or that baking cookies will leave a wonderful aroma in our kitchen. We are confident in them because these are legal and natural laws. In the same way, although we cant see it, we can be full of hope. Hope assures us that we can be confident in it because its the law of God.
3. True Hope comes from God
Bible Verses About Hope For Healing
When in this life we face trials, tribulations, sickness and pain, God is with us.
He helps us to renew our strength.
He heals our wounds, physical, emotional and spiritual.
He tells us to not let our hearts be troubled, and to not be afraid. He will meet our needs, both in sickness, and in healing.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 8:24-25 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Isaiah 40:31 But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings like eagles they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.
Jeremiah 30:17 But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord
Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Why This Relationship Is Important
There are two reasons this is important to see.
One is that it helps us grasp the true nature of biblical hope. Most of us know that biblical faith is a strong confidence. Doubt is the enemy of biblical faith. But if hope is faith in the future tense, then we can see more clearly that hope, too, is a strong confidence and not just wishful thinking.
The other reason it is important to see this relationship between faith and hope is that it shows how indispensable hope is. We all know that we are saved by grace through faith. Faith is necessary for our salvation. But we dont as often speak of hope in those terms. But we should. Hope is an essential part of faith. Take away hope and the definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1 is destroyed. We are not merely saved by grace through faith. We are saved by grace through hope.
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The Writers Confidence In His Readers
The reason the writer is so sure that his readers will not be among the apostates is that they have not only been loving servants for Gods sake in the past but are still serving. You see that emphasis on perseverance, dont you, at the end of verse 10? You showed love in serving the saints in the past, and you still do. Their religious experience was not a temporary decision at camp or at a Keith Green concert or Billy Graham crusade. It was continuing. Perseverance in godliness is the proof of the genuineness of a persons salvation. Thats why the writer feels so sure of the people: they had served the saints, and they still do.
It Is Having Your Strength Renewed
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint .
It’s one thing to be strong and optimistic when all your ducks are in a row when there’s no storm rocking your boat. But sometimes, when troubles come knocking, we abandon hope.
After an astounding victory where Elijah executed the prophets of Baal, we see him running for dear life after being threatened by Jezebel .
This state of helplessness happens to the best of us, causing us to abandon all hope. Isaiah states that even the youth grow tired and weary, but something different happens to those who hope in the Lord their strength is renewed. Little wonder that they can afford joy in their turmoil.
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Perseverance In Our Suffering Brings Hope
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
Romans 5:3-4
Trials, develop our endurance, and teach us to trust God despite our sufferings. And that perseverance builds our character and enables us to see beyond our current circumstances to the future God promised, which produces hope.
How To Incorporate Biblical Hope Into Your Life
If you struggle to incorporate Biblical hope into your life, try some of the following tips:
- Get involved with your local church. By participating in services and giving back to your community, youre directly doing the work God asked of you. This might help you reconnect with that anticipation and trust.
- Spend time each day in prayer. Set aside time every day to focus on why you should be hopeful, and to talk with God about that hope. Being mindful of hope can help inspire it.
- Understand that hope takes time. You may not instantly be filled with Biblical hope, and thats okay! Know that it takes time to understand what it is youre hopeful for.
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The Ancient Greek Word For Hope
The ancient Greek word for hope is elpo. The meaning of elpo is to anticipate or welcome the expectation of what is certain. It is used in the Bible 53 times. Thayers Greek Lexicon says that in which one confides or to which he flees for refuge. In other words, it is what you turn to for comfort in lifes struggles.
What Is A Christians View Of Hope
For born-again believers, your view on hope is centered on Jesus Christ, the author, and the finisher of your faith. I love the following quote.
Mountains when in darkness hidden, are as real as in the day, and Gods love is as true to you now as it was in your brightest moments. Hope in Christ is never-failing unlike like worlds.
-Charles Spurgeon
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The Writers Admonition To His Readers
Now comes the admonition in verses 11 and 12 to press on and not become sluggish. But now the battle is described in terms of hope, not just in terms of love and service:
And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness in realizing the full assurance of hope until the end.
In other words, with all the zeal of the past that enabled you to work and love in the name of Christ with all that zeal, keep on pursuing the full assurance of hope to the end. There is no fight, no quest, no challenge, no war more urgent than this. Keep your hope hot!
What Does The Bible Say About Hope Revealing 27 Verses
Lets break down what does the Bible say about hope? The Biblical definition of hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength in His faithfulness. So, what does the bible say about hope? Lets dive in!
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First and foremost, lets look at the definition of hope. According to Merriam-Webster:
Hope is to cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to happen or be true: to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment: and to expect with confidence.
Lets start with a few questions on hope.
- Who or What do you place your hope in?
- Have you placed your hope in God today friend?
- What does hope have to do with being a born-again follower of Jesus Christ?
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A Description Of Hope
It is Dynamic or Active
In the Bible, hope is never a static or passive thing. It is dynamic, active, directive and life sustaining. This is everywhere obvious as we read the Word. Take a concordance, look up the word hope and you will find reference after reference pointing out the active results of hope in the lives of those who truly have a biblical hope and live accordingly.
In other words, a biblical hope is not an escape from reality or from problems. It doesnt leave us idle, drifting or just rocking on the front porch. If our hope is biblical and based on God’s promises, it will put us in gear.
It has Results
It changes how we see ourselves. It changes us into pilgrim persons, people who see this life as temporary sojourn.
2 Peter 1:13 And I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder,
1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.
It changes what we value. Hope, if biblical, makes us heavenly minded rather than earthly minded. Our Lords words here blast our deception away.
Matthew 6:19-21 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal 21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
It has Rewards and Blessings
What Does Simeon In The Bible Mean
Hebrew Baby Names Meaning: In Hebrew Baby Names the meaning of the name Simeon is: Obedient listening little hyena. In the Bible, Simeon was the old man who recognized Jesus as the Messiah.
Can you have faith without hope?
One cannot have hope without faith. When people have hope they have faith, because they hold a belief that says I believe that the future will be better. And while they have no grounds to prove the hopeful assumption, they have faith in it. While faith without hope is possible, hope without faith is not.
What is the significance of the prophecy of Simeon?
In what has become known as the Nunc Dimittus, Simeons poetic blessing to God a few verses later, Simeon recognizes the fulfillment of Gods promised salvation as a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel .
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Promises To Give You Hope
The verses I am going to share with you are all things God has said he will do for you. As you read these remember what hope is, knowing that God will come through for you.
The hope of Gods provision
So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them .
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus .
The hope of Gods presence
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you he will never leave you nor forsake you .
The hope of Gods protection
You are my refuge and my shield I have put my hope in your word .
For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock .
The hope of eternal life
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of Gods elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time .
The hope of Christs return
The hope of inheritance
The hope of answered prayer
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears uswhatever we askwe know that we have what we asked of him .
Why Does Hope Play Such A Huge Role In The Lives Of Christians
Hope encourages Christians to change their perspective. Someone who believes this world is as good as it gets will live differently from the person who believes he or she has a forever-future full of abundance and joy. Hope has a way of getting us through whatever we are facing.
Christians can live peering through the lens of eternity-future. Instead of seeking after fame, wealth, sexual fulfillment, enlightenment, or any other source of personal pleasure that must be enjoyed at the moment, believers recognize that even the most beautiful of our experiences pale in comparison to what the Lord has in store for us. As 2 Corinthians 2:9 reads, No…mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.
Hope encourages Christians to live with boldness. People often post photos of their favorite restaurants, destinations, and vacation spots or share reviews of books they recommend. Followers of Jesus will one day feast at the wedding supper of the Lamb and know of one not-to-miss-destinationheaven.
2 Corinthians 3:12 tells us, …since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We may or may not be sharing on social media about Jesus, but the hope that those we know, love, and care about will be with us spurs us on to tell others about His love and what it means to be a Christian.
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It’s The Ability To See What Others Can’t
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people .
Although we have a glorious inheritance in Christ, not every believer can perceive it. The power bestowed on us is the same power that God exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms .
But our spiritual eyes have to be open so that we can be cognizant of this inheritance. The two distraught disciples who were headed to Emmaus did not recognize Jesus.
It was until He sat with them and broke bread that their eyes popped open, and they were able to recognize Him .
When the king of Aram sent out a strong army to capture Elisha, Gehazi, his servant, was horror-struck. Elisha prayed that God would open his eyes, and only then was he able to see the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha .
When Hagar and her son Ishmael were on the brink of death, God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she spotted a well from which she drew drinking water .
To be joyful in hope, our eyes have to be open to the power and riches of God. Only then can we afford joy in the middle of the storm.
Jesus taught that the eye is the lamp of the body, and if your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. . So, the question is, are your eyes open to the riches in Christ?
What Is The Significance Of Hope
Whenever a person tells you to hold on to hope, you may wonder what ones hope has to do with what one is going through. Some people even believe that one of the most valuable qualities in life is being hopeful. So, why is hope so important in our lives? When you have such hope, you have the assurance that something good will happen.
Imagine a life without hope it is complete chaos and disaster. Living in despair is like watching your entire world crumble and doing nothing to save it. When hopeless, we go through life in misery, discouragement, anguish, and agony. When there is no hopewhen people cannot see the desired end to their difficultiesthey lose motivation to persevere.
Hope is everything, for it gives you a reason to live. Hope will encourage you to live in the present while planning for and anticipating the future. Where there is no hope in the future, there is no power in the present, John Maxwell said.
First Peter 1:3 says, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
According to the Scripture, true hope is significant because it gives you strength and courage. Set hope as your anchor when we are tossed with struggles and storms. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure .
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