What is the source of hope?
Proverbs 11:7When the wicked die, their hopes die with them, for they rely on their own feeble strength.
Luke 12:16-21Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
It is foolish to hope in our own strength. No matter how talented we are or what we may have accomplished in life, we all eventually will die.
Psalm 60:11Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless.
Psalm 127:1Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.
Psalm 146:3Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there.
Isaiah 31:1What sorrow awaits those who look to Egypt for help, trusting their horses, chariots, and charioteers and depending on the strength of human armies instead of looking to the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.
Human help is often unreliable and can only do so much.
Matthew 6:19“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.”
1 Timothy 6:17Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.
Money and other earthly resources can be lost, destroyed, or stolen, and they won’t matter in the end.
Psalm 22:5They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you and were never disgraced.
Psalm 25:5Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
Psalm 25:21May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.
Psalm 33:22Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
Psalm 39:7So, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.
Psalm 40:11Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.
Psalm 71:5O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood.
Psalm 130:7O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows.
Romans 4:20-21Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.
Hebrews 6:18-19So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.
God is the only perfect source of hope. Only he is completely truthful, perfectly good and trustworthy. Only he is all-powerful. And only he holds the key to eternal life.
