Hope – More Than Wishful Thinking - Knowing God's Presence in the Dark Seasons of Life

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15, ESV)

“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32, ESV)

“For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (Romans 8:24-25, ESV)

The biblical use of the word “hope” differs from the common use of the word today. We often think of hope as wishful thinking in uncertain circumstances.

Biblical hope is different. Specifically defined, we can say hope is a certain expectation of a positive future reality based upon the promise of God. How do we apply this truth to our lives when we feel hopeless? Let’s look at a few of the key ideas that define true hope.

Hope is certain because it is rooted in the finished work of Christ. “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2). Just as there is nothing we can do to add to the work of Christ, there is nothing we can do to add to the hope found in him. We can trust Christ, no matter the circumstances, and in turn, display confident hope.

Hope is positive because God always does what is right. The righteousness of God means he always exists in a state of holiness, but it also means that everything God has done, or will do, is perfectly right as well. “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he” (Deuteronomy 32:4). God is holy. He will always do what is good, best, and perfect; therefore our hope is founded upon the goodness and perfection of God.

Hope is an expectation because we can trust what God says about the future. We either trust what God says or not. We can depend fully upon God making good on every one of his promises. “In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began” (Titus 1:2).

Hope does not say, “I wish it were so,” but “I know it will be so.” When God makes a promise, we look forward to that promise becoming reality, and it will be a good thing. Why? Because we do not base our hope upon uncertain circumstances or our abilities but upon the character of the unchanging God. Hopelessness is a lack of faith in God to do what he says he will do. If we would like a more concise definition, we could say most simply: hope is transcendent trust.

Hope always looks to the future. Without trust in the eternal, we have no strength to bear the present; forever empowers today. This is why Paul wrote, “Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” (Romans 8:24-25). When a promise is fulfilled, there is no longer an expectation (Hebrews 6:11). Without expectation, there is no hope, and the need for endurance ends because the waiting is over, and the reality is clearly seen.

Through hope, when we are tempted to give up in our suffering or give in to our passing comfort, we are reminded that we have not yet arrived at our eternal home (1 Corinthians 15:19). All things will be set right on the day when Jesus removes all our pain for good, and our hope will be seen most fully. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

Reflection:

1. How does viewing hope from a biblical perspective help you to endure your season of difficulty? Is there any part of the definition given for hope that highlights an area of struggle for you?
2. Read Psalm 77:11-20. Name some areas where you can look back upon the faithfulness of God in your past. How does remembering those moments strengthen your faith and increase your hope during struggle or uncertainty?