“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2 (NIV)
I saw this inspiring quote on Social Media: “Be bold enough to use your voice, brave enough to listen to your heart, and strong enough to live the life you’ve always imagined.“ Initially, I thought, “Wow, that’s good.” But the more I thought about it, the more I realized this is instructing us to put our hope in ourselves. And I thought, “Nope, that’s not where I want to put my hope. I want to put my hope in God.”
Then I googled who said this and found it was a quote from Winnie the Pooh. Initially, I started to giggle, but then I got mad. Isn’t this just how the enemy works? He tries to deceive us with nice words and ideas that lead us away from God.
The world, swayed by the enemy, defines hope as a wishful feeling for the future. It is based on the temporal, or what we see here and now in the world. It directs us to put our hope in setting goals, self-effort, and success. Worldly hope has the potential to disappoint because all these things can fail us.
I once put my hope in the world’s promises. I worked hard all through high school to get straight A’s and get into my first-choice college. Then, I worked two jobs to pay my tuition and studied all night to reach my goal of becoming a doctor. You see, I had been told that being a doctor was prestigious. I was lured in by the idea of being someone people looked up to and the potential to make a lot of money. I had been taught that I could do anything if I worked hard enough. But then one day, a counselor told me it was all for nothing. She said I could never be a doctor because of my poor eyesight.
The world’s definition of hope disappoints. However, God’s Word defines hope differently; rather than being based on the temporal and natural, it is eternal and supernatural. The Greek word for Hope used in the Bible is “elpis” which means a confident expectation or certainty about our unseen future. Biblical hope is based on God’s goodness and good plans. Because of God’s good plans, Jesus died to ensure we will spend eternity with God without heartache, struggles, or tears.
The Word teaches us to put our hope in the glory of God. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2, NIV). And it tells us that it will never disappoint or put us to shame (Romans 5:5).
Dear one, sometimes Life can be downright difficult. Sometimes, we can’t see a way out of our current circumstances. We might not understand God’s plan or why He would allow us to go through it. But we can put our hope in God’s word, truth, and promises for our lives and future.
God promises to help, strengthen, and sustain us through any circumstance (Isaiah 41:10). God says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
When we put our hope in God’s glory, goodness, and good plans, He will fill us with peace and joy despite our current circumstances. And when we are filled with joy and peace, there’s no room for anything else: No discouragement, disappointment, or depression.
Dear Father God, Help me to put my hope in you. Please fill me with joy and peace as I trust your good promises for my future. Fill me with your love, comfort, patience, and perseverance. Please strengthen and guide me by your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Are You Struggling to Find Faith and Hope?
Then read: Four Steps to Find Faith that God is Good Even When Life Isn’t.
