Hope!

There’s a marked contrast between what is often referred to as “hope” in our contemporary culture and what the scriptures mean.  The cultural understanding is little more than a transitory, evasive “wish” contrasted with Biblical hope as being resulting in steadiness and assurance based on the Word of God.

Near the close of Paul’s letter in Romans, we see insights into the hope of the Bible that are evidenced in our lives of hope.

Romans 15:13  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

The origin of is from “the God of hope”, not random wish based on sensory perception, rather on and from the eternal, invincible and only wise God.  This hope is evidenced by “joy and peace” with faith (“believing”).  Joy is the expected end of the challenge or circumstances that would attempt to derail us.  Peace counters worry or fear that often comes with those challenges/circumstances with unwavering confidence in God and His word.

This hope is sustained by the “power of the Holy Spirit”, it is literally enforced by the Spirit of God.

We can resound with the old hymn of the Church, “My hope is built on nothing less….”