Hope
08-2018
To say we have hope is to say there is a chance that something desirable will happen or be possible. We live daily with hope pertaining to every aspect of our lives. From the smallest matter to issues that pertain to life and death mankind lives in hope. Hope is a good thing to have, without it life would be such a weight to bear. “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12). It’s true, even hope delayed causes us to be anxious and discouraged: but when that hope becomes reality, our spirit is lifted.
There are two ways to look at hope: (1) The pessimistic says: “Hope is a pathological (unreasonable) belief in the occurrence of the impossible”. This is base hope, worldly hope.
(2) Christians believe that hope, Godly hope, is the divine transformation that changes base hope of mankind into hope that is built upon the Sure Foundation, Jesus Christ!
Hope that is based on nothing is no hope. Hope placed anywhere except in Christ is no hope. Putting ones hope in Buda, Allah, luck, religion, or your own abilities is like the man who built his house on sand, it cannot withstand the storm.
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Romams 15:13). In this verse God proclaims he is the only true source of hope, “the God of Hope”; chose to believe it or reject it! Those that accept this truth are promised to be filled with joy, peace (comfort while waiting), and abound in hope through the power of God.
God given hope begins with putting one’s faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. There is a song written by Edward Mote in 1834, My Hope Is Built,which contains the lyrics: “My Hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness”; these few words say all one needs to know about the source of true hope.
You are hoping for something right now; who is the source (foundation) of your hope?
I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. (Psalm 130:5)
