“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” – Rom. 15:4

Hope is born by way of placing our faith in Christ when we are born again, and it is needed throughout life. Even the best believers are often forced to face challenges that make life difficult. They need hope to help with their hardships. Thankfully God has provided a source whereby we can abound in hope. That source is God’s Word, “the scriptures“. 

Notice that they are written “for our learning”. They speak to us about the will of God, the ways of God, the wisdom of God, and prepare us for the work of God. Facing things we don’t understand, questions we can’t answer, enemies we can’t defeat, and difficulties we can’t endure, we need what God’s word alone can provide. We put ourselves in great peril if we neglect it.

Some of God’s greatest servants suffered seasons of hopelessness. Great men like Job (Job 7:6), Jeremiah ( Lam.3:18), and the Psalmist ( Psa. 42:4-5) were at times given to doubt and despair. So we are foolish to think that we can neglect God’s Word without any ill-effects. The scriptures provide spiritual nourishment that can’t be found any place else. They are essential to our well-being. We should study them diligently, meditate upon them continually, and obey them fully. Doing so will enable us to “abound in hope” ( Rom. 15:13).

Notice what the instruction of God’s word produces – “patience and comfort”. The word “patience” means “perseverance” or endurance. The word “comfort” speaks of “encouragement” – both comfort and courage. In other words, our knowledge of the scriptures enables us to overcome difficulties and disappointments. Let us then say with the Psalmist “in his word do I hope.” ( Psa. 130:5). – HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“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,” –1 Pet. 1:3 ( read vs. 21-25)

Securing hope begins with a knowledge of the fact that its source is God – “the God of hope“. But it requires more than that. Until a person is born again he has no basis for hope. As much as he might desire it, he can’t live in hope without the life that results from the new birth – which gives us assurance of a relationship with God. So until a person hears and receives the gospel hope is impossible.

When a person is born again he receives a living hope, based on the resurrection of Christ. Such hope can endure disappointments and survive trials. It lives because of our confidence in our living Savior, whose resurrection proved that there is always hope. Our circumstances change, but our confidence remains because it is founded upon the “incorruptible… word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (vs. 25). You can take away a person’s health, wealth, comfort, and fame, but his hope is “both sure and stedfast”, “an anchor of the soul” ( Heb. 6:19). So regardless of how dark the night we have the bright light of God’s precious promises assuring us of better days to come. It is this hope that enables us to “rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” ( vs. 8).

So how is it with you? Do you have a hope such as this? If not that can change right now and forever by placing your faith in the “precious blood of Christ” (vs. 19). You can live everyday with the hope of “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” ( vs. 4). – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“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.” – Rom. 15:13

Yesterday’s article was entitled “It’s Not Hopeless”, but let’s face it, that’s not the way some folks feel. They have hit rock bottom and feel that all hope is gone. They feel trapped in a hopeless situation. And even a well intended message meant to encourage them seems to them like a mockery of their situation. So, do they really have reason to believe that there isn’t any hope? To answer that we must first know what is meant by hope. Many people don’t understand what hope is. They think of it as wishful thinking, a positive attitude, optimism. But hope isn’t hype.  They are confused because the world’s definition of hope is different from the Bible’s definition. The world uses the word hope to express uncertainty, mere wishful thinking. But the Word of God uses it in regards to the confident expectation of something desired in the future. It speaks of anticipation or absolute assurance – the opposite of despair. As such hope is a powerful principle!

Someone said, “A man can survive 40 days without food, 3 days without water, and 8 minutes without air. But he can’t survive a second without hope“. So, knowing what it is and why it’s needed, we must understand where it is found. Sadly most folks are hunting hope in all the wrong places – such as religion, relationships, righteousness, and riches. Real hope, however, is found only in the Lord – ” the God of hope”. Of all the things that could be said of God this must be one of the most encouraging. To be assured that there is source of hope is a great comfort. To know that the One who cannot lie has promised to provide hope is a thrilling thought. We are not helpless, because things are not hopeless.

We can’t always change our circumstances, but we can change our confidence. God is both the origin and the object of our hope. Just as faith comes by the hearing of God’s word ( Rom. 10:17), hope comes by “believing” what God has promised. Therefore, just as faith can be increased, we can “abound in hope“. And that fills us with “all joy and peace”. Corrie Ten Boom said, “Look around and be distressed. Look inside and be depressed. Look at Jesus and be at rest”. At rest indeed! So rather than thinking of all the things that are against you, focus on the fact that God is for you, with you, and “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” ( Eph. 3:20). That being the case, I say again, “It’s not hopeless”. – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346