What is hope?
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
- Hebrews 11:1
The majority of the Biblical usage of the term “hope” seems to define it as, “an expectation that something will come to pass”. Biblical hope is not just wishful thinking. It is not a mere fleeting desire, or an optimistic mindset. Hope is the conviction of a truth, a belief in a reality, a faith and trust in a fact.
Where do we get hope?
"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God."
- Psalm 20:7
The follower of Christ can have hope that transcends circumstance. We do not put our hope in mutable things. We do not rest our hope upon men. We place our hope upon God and Scripture. We have the expectation that because of the cross, God loves us despite our failure. We have the belief that in the pain, there is purpose. We have the conviction that God is in control, and even though this world seems out of control, God is working all things out for the glory of His name and the everlasting benefit of His children. We have the expectation that in our season of wandering, Christ is with us calling us back into the abundant life He offers. We have the belief that The Holy Spirit is working in the lives of our loved ones that are not yet followers of Christ. We have the conviction that as we take our last breath on earth, we awake new in Heaven for eternity.
Christmas is about hope.
"For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
- Isaiah 9:6
Christmas is about a lot more than snowmen and presents. The story of Christmas starts all the way back in the Garden of Eden. God promises that one day a Savior would be born that would defeat the schemes of evil. (Genesis 3:15) The rest of the Old Testament sets out to describe how God had been faithful to ensure that the promised Savior would be born and bring victory. (Luke 24:44) Christmas celebrates the birth of that promised Savior, Jesus. Christmas emphasizes that even in the darkest days, there was hope that one day Jesus would come and set His people free. We are living in that hope. We are experiencing that fulfilled expectation. God made a promise. His people had hope, expectation, belief, and trust that one day the promise would come to pass. it did. We are to have hope, expectation, belief, and trust that everything God speaks in His Word is true.
Sharing the hope we have in Christ
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have with respect and gentleness.
- 1 Peter 3:15
This world needs Biblical hope. So often people refuse to have hope because they do not want to be disappointed when what they hoped for does not become reality. We can share with them hope that is reality. A hope that will not disappoint. A hope that goes beyond wishful thinking and crosses into assured belief, conviction, trust, and faith.
Will you share true hope this Christmas?
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
- Hebrews 11:1
The majority of the Biblical usage of the term “hope” seems to define it as, “an expectation that something will come to pass”. Biblical hope is not just wishful thinking. It is not a mere fleeting desire, or an optimistic mindset. Hope is the conviction of a truth, a belief in a reality, a faith and trust in a fact.
Where do we get hope?
"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God."
- Psalm 20:7
The follower of Christ can have hope that transcends circumstance. We do not put our hope in mutable things. We do not rest our hope upon men. We place our hope upon God and Scripture. We have the expectation that because of the cross, God loves us despite our failure. We have the belief that in the pain, there is purpose. We have the conviction that God is in control, and even though this world seems out of control, God is working all things out for the glory of His name and the everlasting benefit of His children. We have the expectation that in our season of wandering, Christ is with us calling us back into the abundant life He offers. We have the belief that The Holy Spirit is working in the lives of our loved ones that are not yet followers of Christ. We have the conviction that as we take our last breath on earth, we awake new in Heaven for eternity.
Christmas is about hope.
"For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
- Isaiah 9:6
Christmas is about a lot more than snowmen and presents. The story of Christmas starts all the way back in the Garden of Eden. God promises that one day a Savior would be born that would defeat the schemes of evil. (Genesis 3:15) The rest of the Old Testament sets out to describe how God had been faithful to ensure that the promised Savior would be born and bring victory. (Luke 24:44) Christmas celebrates the birth of that promised Savior, Jesus. Christmas emphasizes that even in the darkest days, there was hope that one day Jesus would come and set His people free. We are living in that hope. We are experiencing that fulfilled expectation. God made a promise. His people had hope, expectation, belief, and trust that one day the promise would come to pass. it did. We are to have hope, expectation, belief, and trust that everything God speaks in His Word is true.
Sharing the hope we have in Christ
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have with respect and gentleness.
- 1 Peter 3:15
This world needs Biblical hope. So often people refuse to have hope because they do not want to be disappointed when what they hoped for does not become reality. We can share with them hope that is reality. A hope that will not disappoint. A hope that goes beyond wishful thinking and crosses into assured belief, conviction, trust, and faith.
Will you share true hope this Christmas?