Hello! Here are some thoughts that I trust will be encouraging and instructive to point others to the one way, the only way, of true hope; And that is, trusting in God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ!
"And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." Romans 15:12,13.
In the Old Testament book of Isaiah (Isaiah 11:10), it was prophesied that Someone from the lineage of Jesse (David's father), would come and be a banner of salvation to the world. Until that time, only the children of Isreal had a relationship with God, and they were under the law, but this is foretelling the grace that was to be brought in by Jesus, to all the people of the world, not just the children of Isreal only! "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." John 1:17. A Christian has this hope, not because we can see it or touch it, but, because it is a gift of faith given to him by God (Ephesians 2:8,9). Through the power of the Holy Ghost (or, Holy Spirit), we are able to understand and believe these things.
This is what true hope is, and this is who true hope is established by. The words "The God of hope" do not mean what hope is often referred to today as crossing our fingers and hoping something will happen, no, the hope that is being spoken of here is total trust and belief and assurance that God is able and faithful to do and fulfill all of His promises to us! The assurance of this is what gives the believer true hope, as well as true joy and peace!
"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast..." Hebrews 6:19.
"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace..." Ephesians 2:13,14.
This is what real hope is built on. Believing and trusting in the finished work Jesus accomplished on the cross is our only source of true hope and assurance of everlasting life with God in Heaven!
"For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it." Romans 8:24,25.
The Christian life is a life of faith. We are saved by faith, then we are called to live by faith, and then, one day, we will be changed, we will be given heavenly bodies, faith will give way to sight, and we will be caught up to be with our Lord Jesus in the air, and so shall we ever be with Him in Heaven! THIS IS THE WONDERFUL HOPE THAT EVERYONE HAS THAT HAS PUT THEIR TRUST IN GOD AND IN HIS SON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!!!
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" 1 Peter 3:15.
I pray that this short page will be helpful to anyone who is interested in what real hope is, and that putting our trust in the God of hope, is our only source of true joy and peace. Please be aware, Satan is out there, trying to deceive you by lies and deceptions, into thinking you can have joy and peace in other ways, but the ways of the devil only lead to Hell.
"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 16:25.
