Victory through the Word - Hope

These Three Abide - Faith, Hope and Love

Happy 2020 y’all!!!! How’s everyone going with their new year resolutions? Where would we be without hope eh? ;)  We all have things we hope for and in adverse circumstances, hope may be the only thing that keeps us going. What does the best selling book of all time, the Bible, have to say about hope?

Proverbs 13: 12 - Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

Proverbs 23: 18 - For surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off [the context (see verses 15-17) is the dilemma of the prosperity of sinners, those who do not fear God; the exhortation is nonetheless to follow the example of the wise, those who fear the Lord (see Proverbs 9: 10 & 24: 14)].

Ephesians 4: 4 - There is one body, and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope of your calling. [It is important to note that just as there is one Christian faith (verse 5), so there is but one hope which, to my mind, is the hope of eternal glory, being with God and as He is for eternity (cf. Titus 2: 13 and Colossians 1: 27). This hope is multi-faceted and has various aspects and stages, including salvation, regeneration, resurrection etc. All who have this hope are united as one body, the body of Christ, by the Holy Spirit.]

1 Peter 3: 15 - But in your hearts sanctify (set apart) the Lord Christ (cf. Isaiah 8: 13), and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear [given that Jesus Christ himself told Peter and the other disciples not to predetermine what to say when under trial (see Matthew 10: 19 & Luke 12: 11-12), ‘always being ready’ in this context may perhaps be interpreted as a willingness to speak up for the faith at all times, even if you haven’t prepared what to say in advance.]

Colossians 1: 4-5 Having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have toward all the saints because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens [ie. our heavenly inheritance, see 1 Peter 1: 3-4], of which you have heard before in the word of truth, the gospel [so the fruit or outworking of this hope is faith in Christ and love towards the body of Christ (aka saints)].

Romans 8: 24-25 - For in [into] this hope we were saved: but hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what he already sees [has obtained]? But if we hope for what we don't see, then we wait for it with patience [hope helps us persevere, see 1 Thessalonians 1: 3 and Hebrews 6: 11-12].

Hebrews 3: 6 - But Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast [steadfast confidence (in some translations, boldness) derived from hope is an essential trait of those who are members of God's house or family (see Numbers 14: 6-9 & v. 24 and beginning of Revelation 21: 8). The fount of both our confidence and hope is the faithfulness of God himself, see Hebrews 10: 23].

Psalm 119: 49 - Remember your word to your servant, upon which you have given me [cause to] hope. [Is the psalmist referring to God's word in the Torah which perhaps he has internalized, or a prophetic "rhema" word given directly to him? Whichever the case may be, the word he has received and believed has become a source of confidence and comfort to him in times of affliction cf. Psalm 130: 5.]

Psalm 31: 24 - Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the LORD.

Hebrews 6: 18-19 - That by two unchangeable things [the promise to Abraham and confirmation by oath see Genesis 22:16-18], in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled [to God] for refuge might be strongly encouraged to take hold of [grasp] the [gospel] hope set before us, which we have as an anchor of the soul [that which keeps our souls from straying, see 1 Peter 2: 25], a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil [the presence and glory of God].

Hebrews 7: 19 - (for the Law made nothing perfect), and a better hope [of salvation] is introduced, by which we draw near to God [What is meant by "made...perfect" in this verse? This is surely not a reference to our future glorification ie. the resurrected body and restoration of all that was lost in the Fall, see Romans 8: 18-23. Reading around the text suggests that Paul is talking about the perfection of our conscience now from the consciousness or guilt of sin, see Hebrews 9: 8-10 &  Hebrews 10: v.1-4, v.14 & v.19-23.]

Zechariah 9: 12 - Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of [the] hope; even today I declare that I will restore to you double [Although this verse is referring to the physical captivity of the Israelites in exile, it also has a deeper, spiritual meaning that is applicable to us today ie. deliverance from bondage to sin and (greater) spiritual restoration of our status and relationship with God before the Fall, see Colossians 1: 27].

Jeremiah 29: 11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not evil, to give you hope in your latter end [in some translations, a hope and a future; an expected end. God's plan is for his children to prosper but often He goes about it in unconventional ways, through the fire of affliction and trials. Often this seems cruel to us but God is only subjecting us to the same treatment as his only begotten Son, perfecting us through suffering (1 Peter 2: 21; Hebrews 2: 10), and preparing us for better things to come.]

Romans 12: 12 - Rejoicing in hope, enduring in oppression, continuing steadfastly in prayer. [Maintaining a joyful hope is a recurrent theme in Paul’s letters eg. Philippians 4: 4.]

2 Corinthians 1: 10 - [God] who delivered us out of so great a death, and does deliver; on whom we have set our hope that he will yet again deliver us. [As I write this I am currently under such spiritual attack in Africa that, like Paul, I’ve “despaired even of life”. And, just like Paul, I have prayed repeatedly for this thorn in the flesh to be taken from me but here I am still getting pricked. I think the reason for this protracted trial is perhaps so that I too can come to the end of myself and learn to trust solely in God (see verse 9 & 1 Samuel 13: 8-14), and discover that his grace is sufficient for me (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10). And so suffering works in us hope (cf. James 1: 3 and Romans 5: 3-4) - as exemplified by the hope that Paul expresses here - if God has done it before, he can do it again!].

Romans 5: 5 - And hope does not make us ashamed because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us [the Holy Spirit relays and deposits into our hearts a knowledge and awareness of God’s love for us, as well as a reciprocal love for God albeit unequal in magnitude].

Romans 15: 13 - Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in [through the indwelling presence and] the power of the Holy Spirit.

What are some aspects of the gospel hope (Colossians 1: 23)?

Grace & Mercy 

2 Thessalonians 2: 16 - Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by [His] grace (cf. Hebrews 4: 16).

1 Peter 1: 13 -Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be sober and set your hope fully on the grace that is being brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ [hope continually on the grace God is giving you incrementally as you grow in the knowledge (and likeness) of Jesus Christ until that hope is fulfilled at the second coming of Christ "when Christ...is revealed" see Colossians 3: 4].

Psalm 33: 18 - Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in (some translations, await) his mercy (cf. Psalm 147: 11).

Psalm 130: 7 - Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is abundant redemption (cf. Lamentation 3: 21-23). 

Salvation 

1 Thessalonians 5: 8 - But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation [being ever mindful of the gospel truth that God himself has appointed or predestined us for salvation through Jesus Christ (see verse 9) is our defence against the twin weapons of fear and unbelief which Satan, the adversary, uses to make us doubt our salvation. A good analogy is having a doctor's appointment or a date. It's already been booked, you get regular reminders, all you have to do is show up and not get caught up in the things that can hinder or derail you; in this case it's an appointment unto salvation. It is notable that Paul adopts the imagery of the Lord as Saviour and intercessor in Isaiah 59: 17, and applies it to us.]

1 John 3: 3 - And everyone who has this [gospel] hope in him [of predestination unto salvation and becoming like God, see verse 2]  purifies himself, even as he is [already or being made pure (cf. 1 John 4: 17b; see Philippians 2: 12 ‘works out his salvation’ even as he is saved); alternatively, everyone who has this hope purifies himself just as God is pure, is perhaps the more common interpretation of this verse, see 1 Peter 1: 16]. 

Psalm 119: 166 - LORD, I have hoped for your salvation, and done your commandments [here we see the psalmist’s faith combined with works ie. obedience to God’s commandments cf. James 2: 17-18]. 

Lamentations 3: 26 - It is good that a man should both hope and quietly [implies patiently] wait for the salvation of the LORD (cf. Isaiah 30: 15). 

Resurrection 

1 Peter 1: 3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again [ie. spiritual rebirth; I like the NHEB translation of this, ‘who...became our father again’] unto a lively [some translations, living] hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (cf. 1 Corinthians 15: 20; 1 Thessalonians 4: 14).

1 Corinthians 15: 19 - If our hope in Christ is for this life only, we are to be pitied more than all men [Just as our faith is meaningless without the resurrection of Christ from the dead (see verse 17 of the same passage), so too our hope in Christ if this life is all there is.]

1 Thessalonians 4: 13 - But we don't want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don't grieve like [in the same manner as] the rest, who have no hope. 

Glory 

Colossians 1: 27 - To whom [ie. the saints] God has chosen to make known the riches [treasure, abundance] of this glorious mystery among the Gentiles (non-Israelites, see Ephesians 3: 6; Galatians 3: 14), which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 

Ephesians 1:18 - The eyes of your understanding [in some translations, heart] being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling [some translations, the hope to which you were called], what are the riches [wealth, abundance] of his glorious inheritance [heritage, rights, privileges] in [reference to, (p)reserved for] the saints (eg. Isaiah 54: 17).

Romans 5: 2 - Through whom [ie. Jesus Christ] we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of [in some translations, sharing; experiencing] the glory of God [ie. partaking of the divine nature cf. Romans 8: 30, John 17: 22]. 

Eternal life 

Titus 3:7 - That being justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life (see Titus 1: 2). 

Galatians 5: 5 - For we through the Spirit wait by faith for the hope of righteousness [alternatively, the hope of having been made righteous. This righteousness is forward looking and pertains to eternal life, thus incorporating all of the above-mentioned things hoped for cf. 2 Corinthians 5: 21;  2 Timothy 4: 8; Romans 5: 21 CJB].