What is Hope?
The secular definition of hope is much different than how God defines hope. The Webster dictionary first defines hope as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. Through our worldly eyes, we see hope manifest into material things. We hope for this or that. We hope people recover from illness or get a job. The second, archaic definition is more like God’s hope: a feeling of trusting, like how God encourages us to trust Him in the Old Testament.
In the Old Testament the Hebrew word “qawa” is translated as hope, but it literally means to trust. The meaning of hope in the Old Testament is confident anticipation or to have patience and resurgence in God’s provisions. Trusting God in His plan is woven throughout the Old Testament. We see it in many of the stories: Abram, Isaac, Moses, Job, Esther, and may others. They all put their trust in God for His provision.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
In the New Testament, the Greek word “elpizo” is translated as hope. Hope is associated with Jesus Christ, our Savior. Hope in the New Testament means confidence and trust in a particular person, Jesus. Hope is woven into our Christian faith because it gives us strength by God to push through the suffering in this dangerous world marred by sin. Hope is a benefit of our citizenship in His Kingdom through faith in His Son’s death on the cross and resurrection three days later. Hope endures through trials in our sinful nature. God’s hope reveals a greater perspective in our suffering and how they work for His will. When we strengthen our trust in God, we gain an eternal perspective that emboldens us to risk it all for His Kingdom. The fear of the world disappears because Christians only fear God.
“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.”
Integrating this supernatural hope in your life happens by prayer, church membership, fellowship, devotion, and outreach.
Pray without ceasing; talk with God every day or even every hour.
Join a local church, but be a participant by connecting to the church family community through attendance and service.
Fellowship with your church family community through small groups, Bible studies, community activities.
Enjoy devotion time with God; spend every day reading His Word, the Bible, to learn more about the hope God gives us through His Son.
Do outreach to the community outside your church. Go beyond your comforts to share His hope through the Gospel and make disciples.
All these things will help you grow and learn more about His hope through your daily walk with Him.
God’s hope is different than secular hope because we are trusting by faith, not by what we see. His promises may sound too good to be true, but His rewards are greater than what worldly hope can give. His hope ensures our faith is strong by trusting His provision and His will for you now and in Heaven. His hope calls you to serve without fear, even within the risk involved. Understanding His hope takes time, our daily walk strengthens our trust in His plan.
