I. Hope Defined
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus 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. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
~Romans 5:1-5
Last week my pastor spoke about hope referencing this passage. Oh, how I needed to hear it then and everyday. [Basically I am just going to outline his message and add a few things.] An acronym he used for the definition of hope is: Holding On in Patient Expectation. Hope demands waiting. Merriam-Webster defines hope as: to cherish a desire with anticipation; to desire with expectation of obtainment; to expect with confidence; trust. Some synonyms include anticipate, await, and watch for. In this “waiting room” of faith God wants to develop our faith first and foremost. He wants to conform us to the image of His Son. We can outline this passage of Scripture as follows:
Joy -> Endurance -> Patience -> Character -> Hope (hope does not put us to shame)
II. Personal Hope (Dreams)
There are two kinds of Biblical hope; the first is personal hope, or your dreams. I don’t know about you, but I have a ton of dreams, my mind runs wild with possibilities.
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”
~Proverbs 13:12
“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”
~Habakkuk 2:3
Please, allow me to testify to the truth and accuracy of these verses should you not believe them. [If you have not realized it is helpful for me to look up the definition of words in order to make sure I fully grasp the meaning.] Deferred is defined by Merriam-Webster as: withheld for or until a stated time. However, God does not always tell us the time when it will be fulfilled. Hope, dreams, and waiting are all things that I need to think over daily because I struggle with them. That sounds kind of funny, doesn’t it? What I mean is that when I want something badly it can consume me. I let my mind run wild and it can affect my daily functioning negatively. Maybe you cannot relate to this, but it is true for me. Patience and waiting are some of the most difficult things for me to get a handle on. Maybe that is part of growing up in a high-speed generation where we want what we want exactly when we want it – though I do not mean to blame anyone or anything else for my faults.
III. Future, Eternal Hope
“For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding.”
~1 Chronicles 29:15
"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you."
~Psalm 42:5-6a
The second kind of Biblical hope is future, eternal hope – more important than the first. This is our salvation. Christ came to earth to die in our place; His blood covers our sins. Because of this God looks on us as righteous (free from guilt or sin; morally right or justifiable). This is our future hope: that we will see the Kingdom of God (also called the land of the living). It is our living hope through being born again in Christ. We were never intended to live on this earth forever; it is not our home (praise God!). Someone please shout, “Amen!” where you are right now!
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
~1 Peter 1:3
“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.”
~Romans 8:29a
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart.”
~Ecclesiastes 3:11a
One of my all-time favorites:
“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
~Psalm 27:13-14
IV. Justified By Faith (Produces Hope)
Now, if God has given you a promise then continue to wait [Pastor David]. It sounds simple enough, but the more time that goes by the more we might doubt whether we heard the promise from God correctly. Delay is not God’s denial. We also can feel hopeless and like the end will never come. But really, God can change anything in a moment. We focus on our feelings and circumstances while God does not. Let me say something again,
God can change the circumstances in a moment!
Today is my second fundraising deadline. I am lacking $1,500. I have been given an extension, which relieves some of the pressure. However, you can imagine the hopelessness and doubt of my calling that might arise. After all, I have given my notice at work, sold half of my belongings, not renewed my apartment lease, etc.
But you know what… I’m ok as long as I keep reading these Scriptures and do not let my mind wander to negative possibilities. God is renewing my hope today. I remember the assurance I had from God when I applied for the World Race. I remember that for my first fundraising deadline I was $1,000 short and God provided that amount the day of. I remember training camp and the confirmation I felt there. Though I have strayed from the path a little in between, I now remember what God has done and what He can do – anything! Hope will not put me to shame because God will provide.
