If We Hope…

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4

One of the most important words in the Bible may be this little four letter word Hope. The Scriptures are God’s gift to us for the purpose of establishing our faith, giving us a cause for hope. A man with hope for his future can endure great hardship. A man without hope lacks direction and purpose. Hope can be a powerful motivation in our lives. As we study the Scriptures our faith is built and reinforced and our hope that there is a better life awaiting us empowers us to endure the sufferings of this life.

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. – Romans 8:24, 25

There is difficulty in establishing this hope. God’s promises are not based on tangible things that we can see or touch. If we believe in the beauty of God’s character and his love for us we will seek to please Him and we will hope for what he has promised. I love this phrase, if we hope, then do we eagerly wait. As a child I remember not being able to sleep the night of December 24 as I eagerly awaited the morning. Are we awaiting our reward with eagerness?

(as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations” in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” – Romans 4:17, 18

Why was Abraham a father of many nations? It was because despite their advanced ages, despite what he could understand, he believed God’s promise. Even though Abraham had nothing tangible on which to base his faith, he believed God. How strong is your hope?

tdk