Hope

​There are many times during the course of a few days when most of us use the word “hope.”  It might be a conversation with a neighbor out by the mailbox;

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“I hope you have a fun visit with your grandkids next week.”  It might even be an unspoken thought connected to some activity or event of the day.  “I sure hope it doesn’t rain.  That lawn has to be mowed today.”  If you live in the far north and it’s mid-winter, it might be “I sure hope this car will start today.

We use that word quite a bit.  It is not the way “hope” is used in Scripture.  In the body of New Testament Epistles, written by the Apostle Paul and by the Apostle Peter, there are over a dozen instances where they used the word hope.  In each and every case it is not the anticipation of some future condition that may or may not take place.  In each and every case the “hope” Paul and Peter reference is sure and certain because it is based on our Lord Jesus.  It is based on God Himself – in Whom there is no shadow of change.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  James 1:17

The focus of our hope baffles the world.  It confuses all who understand “hope” in the way it is used by folks who talk about the weather or about a football game.  Paul cautions us to not follow that path.  He wrote to his protégé, Timothy, saying

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.  1 Timothy  6:17

The fact is, our “hope” is based on our Savior, Jesus Christ.  The fact is, our hope is not looking for something to be or for something to happen.  By faith we already KNOW we have a destiny in the eternity of heaven. Dear friends, we do not hope for that because our Lord and Savior has guaranteed that by His life, death and resurrection.  Jesus has sealed our destiny in heaven by His righteousness, with which our Heavenly Father credits us because of the gift of Faith placed in us by the Holy Spirit.

Our hope is not about “what”.  Our hope is about “when”.  In the letter to the Hebrews (chapter 6, verse 19) it says;

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.  Hebrews 6:19

As the Apostle Peter wrote – ​

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  1 Peter 1:13

I do hope you have a great new year in 2021.  But that’s not the “hope” we all have at the heart of our Faith in Jesus Christ.  May His blessings flood all your days to come, assuring you of the HOPE that is certain in His salvation of us all.

+Pastor Rod