Hope propels the mind and soul much like faith and love. While faith and love require much from us, clarity in hope carries the heart and the soul. This is incredibly important when it comes to the war into which we are born. Without faith we cannot please God, and without love we cannot do His will – but without hope we become inert and vulnerable to discouragement. To overcome the many distractions of life, we must rely deeply upon an informed and active hope.
Facing personal trials requires steadfast hope in order to overcome.
This is a huge part of what it means to fight the good fight. We were meant to be victorious. We are told our faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Hope gives wings to our faith and our love. People see courageous hope in our lives – even when we suffer.
“Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? If you should suffer for the sake of God’s goodness, you are blessed. Do not fear the intimidation of others, and do not be troubled, but set apart Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you. Do this with gentleness and respect; and keep a clear conscience so that if you are slandered in any way, those who criticize your Jesus obedience will be put to shame.” – 1 Peter 3:13-16
Disappointment Attacks Hope
It is difficult to consistently press toward what God wants for us. God-hope does not disappoint. Hope lifts us up to the end-game in the midst of our challenges. While our battles may be rigorous, His hope is sufficient to help us set our minds on things above. Fixing upon such hope is the challenge – especially when we are hard-pressed or disappointed. This Romans 5 passage is loaded. Take the time to think through what it reveals about hope! Where does hope fit in the chain and why?
“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 this 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.” – Romans 5:1-5
Our God Purpose
To experience God’s approval we must engage faith. When a man or woman’s faith expands we walk toward the purposes of God. Assurance and conviction – what do each have to do with hope?
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval.” – Hebrews 11:1, 2
Faith & Hope Together
God’s Spirit is always leading us in hope, even though the imperfection of the war assails our faith, hope, and our love. Hope does one hope for something which is not seen? And why is it important that God’s Spirit intercede for us? While we have weapons for the left hand and for the right (the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit), hope lifts the heart and fuels our faith.
“For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. He searches the hearts knowing what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for His saints according to the will of God.” – Romans 8:24-27
Hope as a Soul Anchor
No one needs to tell you we are often tossed about by the waves of the storm. While we are in the boat and the storm is blowing, Jesus is the anchor to protect us from harm. What does “within the veil mean anyway..?”
“…so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil…” – Hebrews 6:18,19
Hope Psalms for the Battle
We have just spent a year enduring some of our worst trials ever, and God has animated the Psalms once again to lift our hope!
Here are some great hope-Psalm verses: 31:24; 33:18; 39:7; 42:5,11; 43:5; 62:5; 71:5,14; 119:49,116,166; 130:5,7; 131:3; 146:5
Enjoy the lifting! Selah.
Dave and Burnadette
The Hope Within Me
Giving the Gift of Hope
Hope
Isaiah and the Heart of Hope