Hope is an eternal quality whose foundation is the character and nature of God Himself. Based on the fact that God is faithful to keep His promises, hope is a confident expectation of the Lord “always leading us in triumph,’ of “making all things work for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose,” and of all the other promises given in His Word. Though hope looks forward to things not yet seen, by faith it has the power to motivate and strengthen us to willingly live for Him now.
God’s perfect eternal plan was to send His Son to rescue us from sin and death and reconcile us to the Father. Hope was demonstrated as Jesus submitted to His death and was raised to glorious life, with the promise that we will likewise be raised and become like Him, our living hope. We look forward to His glorious coming and a fulfilled life sharing divine nature with Him for eternity.
Contrary to the way the word is commonly used as “wishing,” such as someone might “hope” their sports team wins, true hope is based on solid promises and is the security of knowing things to come. This know-so attitude rests on the faithful promises of God, who cannot lie. As an anchor of our soul, this powerful force gives strength to be faithful and steadfast in our daily challenges. In the midst of trials, as declared in 1st Corinthians 10, we are reminded that “God is faithful” to provide both strength to endure and to show us the way of escape. Likewise, Paul in his epistles considers all his trials as nothing compared to sharing the glory of God forever. As an expression of God's love and grace, 2 Thessalonians 2 promises that this “good hope” and “eternal consolation,” will comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
So God’s prayer for you and I is “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit,” Romans 15:13.
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