“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;”- Heb. 6:18-19
Though often mentioned and greatly needed, the word hope is often misunderstood. The average person thinks of hope as mere wishful thinking, but it is much more than that. A. W. Tozer said, ” Hope means a desirable expectation, a pleasurable anticipation.” While that’s true, it is even more. There is an inseparable connection between faith and hope. Hope is confidence born of faith. It is future focused faith– anticipating what will happen rather than what has happened. Hope is the blessed assurance that God will do as He promised. That’s something desperately needed today.
Chuck Swindoll said, ” Hope is something as important to us as water is to fish, as vital as electricity is to a light bulb, as essential as air is to a jumbo jet. Hope is basic to life– Without that needed spark of hope, we are doomed to a dark, grim existence– Take away our hope, and our world is reduced to something between depression and despair”. He is right. As we deal with the difficulties of our day we often develop an attitude of doom and gloom. We feel that way because we are too short-sighted. Contrary to what the Bible says, we think all things are working against us and that the worst is yet to come. We forget that a big change is coming – that we have a “blessed hope” ( Tit. 2:13). For the Christian the best is always yet to come. Christ is coming and we will rule and reign with Him!
We ought to do more than sing, ” Standing on the Promises”. We need to stand on them with the full assurance that they all will be fulfilled. God has not lied, will not lie, and cannot lie. And hope in Him is an anchor for our soul –“ both sure and stedfast“. It is a firm foundation when all around us seems to be giving away. It is a song in the night assuring us that joy comes in the morning! As bad as the world is, there is good news — ” which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” ( Col. 1:27). You need not live another minute without hope. The solution for your situation is found in Rom. 15:13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”. Trust in Christ as your Lord and Savior gives you hope to face the future. –HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
