Hope?
Pastor Jerry Wilhite,
author
Hosea 4
6. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
(Read Rev 1:6 to learn how you are a priest)
I have done studies on Hope before, but this study is very different. This study will deal with more than the main line scriptures most address and gets deep into what we hope for and what hope is.
We all have a need or hope for a better day, life, health, finances, relationship(s), etc.
But to understand how to have this and more and to have our hope become a reality we must first understand a few words and their meaning such as hope, evidence, faith, etc.
Before we start, I take it all that are reading this at the very least believe in Jesus and have made Him their savior and Lord. If not please do so now, because for this to make sense for you and be part of your life you have to be one with Jesus. To accept him as your savior and Lord right now follow this link and read the 7 Steps to Salvation
In the word hope means expectance, to expect, not to wish for as the world hopes. The evidence is your conviction, faith is believing without doubting.
Hebrews 10
35. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Hebrews 11
Faith is now, it is your conviction that what is not yet seen in this world what you expect will come to pass. Faith is the substance (what makes it real and solid) of those things you expect and it is the proof of that which is not yet seen or of this world.
Strong's Ref. # 1679
Romanized elpizo
Pronounced el-pid'-zo
from GSN1680; to expect or confide:
KJV--(have, thing) hope(-d) (for), trust.
Strong's Ref. # 1650
Romanized elegchos
Pronounced el'-eng-khos
from GSN1651; proof, conviction:
KJV--evidence, reproof.
6. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
It is only by faith we can please God and God rewards those who diligently seek Him because those of faith will seek Him. Not His hand and what He can do for you, but seek Him for Him, for His love, and a relationship with Him.
Matthew 6
33. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Mark 11
22. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
25. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Jesus said to have faith in God and to forgive all and is this is done and you pray and do not doubt but believe (faith) in what you are praying for you will have it.
Galatians 5
Ephesians 6
10. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Stand therefore, what are you standing there for? what ever it is your need or have faith in you stand, and when you have stood then you stand some more. And you continue to stand even when everything around you says you should not stand. You continue to stand when everyone tells you to stop standing and all you see in this world goes against all you are standing for. Because what is foolish to the world is wise to God and what is wise to the world is foolish to God.
15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
So hope is expectancy of what you are praying for, standing for in faith, all the promises.
So if you are standing and all seems lost, know that it gets darkest before the light but the light will come and that which you hope for (expect) will come through as long as you:
1 Peter 2
24. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1 Peter 5
Hope is continuing the stand for what ever it is we hope for or should I say expect.
Real hope is lacking in today's world as well as real love and forgiveness.