Hope in God

Scripture:  Psalms 42:11 -  Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Hebrews 6:19a – Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul.

An acronym for hope is holding on to a powerful expectation.  No matter what we are facing, there is hope for our future. The object of our hope is in God – not in self, but in God.  God the Father is the God of hope.  Christ, the Son, is our hope.  God the Holy Spirit is the inspirer and sustainer of hope. God’s enduring love for us gives us assurance and confidence and hope in difficult circumstances.  Sometimes we may get distracted, but we must always hope in God.  As we are hoping in God, we have to wait patiently for what we are hoping for. Romans 8:24-25 says “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”  

The causes of spiritual despondency or feeling cast down or discouraged are:  the burden of sin, earthly misfortune, wickedness of the world, or bereavement.  If we are in sin, the cure is confessing our sin and turning away from them (I John 1:9). Concerning other situations which cause us to be discouraged, we have to remember to totally trust the Lord – realizing that He is sovereign and in control.  He cares about every intricate detail of our lives.  Hoping in God sustains/anchors us.  Hebrews 6:19a says “ Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast,”  

In the word of God a few of the many scriptures on hope are:  Romans 5:3-5 -  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.   Romans 8:24-25 -  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.  II Thessalonians 2:16 -  Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Titus 2:13 - Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  Hebrews 6:19a - Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.  I Peter 1:3-5 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  Colossians 1:27 - To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:  I John 3:1-3 - Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father:  Thank You for giving me hope.  You are helping me to be patient as I am waiting for You in things that I am hoping for.  Help me to stay in Your word and apply it.  I praise Your name!  You mean everything to me.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)