I wonder… do we really understand hope? Do we have a viable and active definition of the word? Do we act in hope? Or… is it the last step after having done everything we know… we hope? That’s not a particular strong or effective foundation. However, it is NOT an effectual word with no power. Read 1 Corinthians 13:13
“And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the
greatest of these is love.” [AMP]
This verse is typically a lead in for the Love chapter. Add; the entire Bible is one lesson after another about Faith. What’s hope’s job/responsibility? And the definition: confident expectation of eternal salvation – is that all? Granted… that’s a huge statement – eternal salvation. But… does hope impact, direct, undergird our everyday lives?
To be honest, I’ve not spent much time on the word and making it real and active in my life. To paraphrase a very old folk song – “I really don’t know hope at all.’ The following is my discoverings about hope and I’m inviting you on this path.
I know that the word is used over 121 times in scripture. The use isn’t in question but it does indicate its importance when used consistently I’ve always believed that when a word is used multiple times, that it must denote a level of importance leading to a responsibility to understand. Our understanding is at issue. One of my starting points is GotQuestions [selected comment0
“The Bible has quite a lot to say about hope. Biblical hope has as its foundation faith in God. The word hope in English often conveys doubt. … In addition, the word hope is often followed by the word so. …
In the Old Testament the Hebrew word batah and its cognates has the meaning of confidence, security, and being without care; …
In most instances in the New Testament, the word hope is the Greek elpis/elpizo. … biblical hope is a confident expectation or assurance based upon a sure foundation for which we wait with joy and full confidence. In other words, “There is no doubt about it!”
One of the verses in which we find the word hope is Hebrews 11:1.
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
[[The Amplified Bible: “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses.”]]
…
Therefore, biblical hope is a reality and not a feeling. Biblical hope carries no doubt. Biblical hope is a sure foundation upon which we base our lives, believing that God always keeps His promises. …”
Goodness did I have a misperception! Confident expectation based upon a sure foundation! Reading the Word and Got Questions understanding has to change our view about Hope and what it is. Hebrews 6:19 says:
“This hope (verse 18 on God and His Word) [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple,…]
An anchor! That is a strong word and it keeps and protects the ship (us) from the ravages that assail us. At least for me, I see Hope as a much stronger component in the 3 cord of Faith Hope and Love than I realized. In the future, when I use the word ‘hope’ it isn’t a toss away, insignificant statement.
