Psalm 62:5-6

5) Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
6) Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

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Definition of Biblical Hope

The concept or the idea of hope points to the future: "For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."(Romans 8:24-25). However, it involves more than a desire or wish for something in the future. Biblical hope is based on a deep assurance and a firm confidence about future things. Of course, these are things that are based on God's promises as revealed to us through His word. That is to say, Biblical hope is linked to-and cannot be separated from-a firm faith (Romans 15:13; Hebrew 11:1) and a complete trust in God (Psalm 33:21-22). The psalm writer directly relates "trust" with "hope": "Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save...Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God" (Psalm 146:3-5; Jeremiah 17:7). These verses teach that the sure hope of God's people is one that "does not disappoint" (Romans 5:5; Psalm 22:4-5). Hope is like an anchor that can keep us steady through all the circumstances of life.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. - Hebrew 6:19-20.

The Basis Of The Believer's Hope

The foundation of one's sure hope is based on the nature and character of God, His Son, Jesus Christ, and His Word (as revealed in the Bible).
(1) Scripture reveals how God has always proven Himself faithful to His people in the past. Psalm 22, for example, reveals David's struggle with a personal situation that strengthens his life. When he looks back on God's help in the past, however, he feels confident that God will rescue him: "In You our fathers put their trust; they trusted, and You delivered them" (Psalmm22:4). Without fail, God displayed his great power for the benefit of His people during Israel's exodus (when the Israelites were rescued from slavery in Egypt), during the conquest of Canaan (the land God had promised to Israel) and through the miracles of Jesus and the pioneer leaders of the early new testament church and in the lives of countless Christians since then. all of these powerful acts of deliverance, rescue, salvation and healing should build confidence in the Lord as our helper (Psalm 109; 124:8; Hebrew 13:6). But those who did not have a personal relationship with God have no reason or firm basis for hope (Ephesians 2:12; 1Thesallonians 4:13).

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(2) The full revelation of the new covenant in Jesus Christ provides more reason for a confident hope in God. the Son of God came to set us free by destroying the work of the devil (1John 3:8), who is called 'the god of the age" (2Corinthians 4:4; Galatians 1:4). When Jesus cast out demons during his earthly ministry, He was showing His authority and power over satan. Finally, by His death and resurrection, Jesus scattered the power of satan's evil spiritual empire (John 12:31) and revealed the power of God's kingdom. Concerning our hope, Peter exclaims: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1Peter 1:3). For these reason, Jesus Himself is called our hope (Collossians 1:27; 1Timothy 1:1); and we have access to His power through his Holy Spirit, whom He sent to guide and empower us (Romans 15:12-13)., Jesus' saving work will continue in our lives, making us "confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6). And the greatest part is that on that day "He will appear a second time, not bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him" (Hebrew 9:28).

(3) God's Word is the third basis of hope. god revealed His Word through prophets and apostles. God's Holy Spirit inspired these godly messengers to write exactly what He wanted to communicate to His people-without error (2Timothy 3:16; 1Peter 1:19-21). No written work in history has withstood more examinations and testing and endured more attempts to discredit and destroy it than the Bible. Yet it has stood every test and proven to be true in countless lives throughout history. To this day, it promises and prophecies continued to be fulfilled. Not one thing God has foretold in His Word has failed to happen just as he said, nor anything in the future fail to take place just as God has said it would be (Matthew 5:18; Luke 21:32-33). Since His eternal Word "stands firm in the heavens" (Psalm 119:89), we must place our complete hope in it (Psalm 119:49, 74, 81, 114; 130:5). in fact, everything we know about God and Jesus Christ is revealed in His inspired Word.

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The Focus of The Believer's Hope

The focus of the believer's hope can never be in other human beings (Psalm 33:16-17; 147:10-11) or in material possessions or wealth. But since our hope is in God, in His Son, Jesus, and in His Word, what does this hope involve?
(1) We have hope in God's grace and the fact that He will help us make it through any difficulties or sufferings we face in our present lives (Psalm 33:18-19). At times, He will rescue us from these situations. At other times, He will give us the strength to endure troubles that continue.

(2) We have hope that the time we come when our sufferings on earth will finally be over. Then trouble and corruption that sin brought on the earth will end and our bodies will be resurrected to live forever (Psalm 16:9-10; 2Peter 3:12).

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[a] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. - Romans 8:18-25.

(3) We have the hope that God will bring our spiritual growth and salvation to completion-when we pass from this life and our relationship with God continues for eternity (1Thessallonians 5:8).

(4) We have the hope of an eternal home in the new heaven (2Corinthians 5:1-5; 2Peter 3:13), in that city "whose architect and builder is God" (Hebrews 11:10).

(5) We have what scripture refers to as the "blessed hope" (Titus 2:13)-when Jesus will return and Hi faithful followers will be caught up from the earth to meet him in the air (1Thessallonians 4:13-18). When that time comes, Jesus' followers will see Him as he is and become like Him (1John 3:2-3)

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. - Philippians 3:20-21.

(6) We have the hope of receiving a reward for faithful service to God in this life-a crown of righteousness, of glory and of life.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. - Revelation 2:10.

(7) Finally, we have the hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2; 3:7), which is guaranteed to all who trust and obey the lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16, 36; 6:47; 1John 5:11-13). We can begin to experience the spiritual benefits of eternal life even now by getting to know God and His Son, Jesus Christ (John 17:3). And we will enjoy that relationship forever when we pass from this life into eternity with Christ.

With Such great promises in store for those whose hope is in God and His Son, Jesus, Christians should have an ever-growing desire to share that hope with others. Peter urges us: "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have" (1Peter 3:15).

Thanks for reading
Remain blessed.
Shalom.

[NIV Study Edition Bible]

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