Hope That Spurs Confidence

There is an interesting difference between the definition and the description of the word “hope.” For example, the modern idea of hope is to sincerely “wish” that some certain thing will happen.  The problem with this idea is that it turns out to be “would-be thinking” with no certainty attached to it.  For example, a person with this kind of hope might say, “I hope it won’t rain today” or “I hope I’ll feel better tomorrow.” This hope gives no assurance that what is hoped for will happen because it may rain, or it may not rain; and, he or she may feel better tomorrow and they may not.  Hope like this turns out to be a wishy-washy unsure optimism.

The concept of hope from the Bible is completely different.  With Biblical hope there is certainty and a confident expectation regarding what is to come.  Why?  Because God has made a promise and He will fulfill what He says He will do.  Biblical hope is a solid kind of hope.  It is unshakable and exudes confidence in God’s faithfulness. Psalm 46:11 reminds us, “What I (God) have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.” The confident expectation rests squarely on what God says and does and does not rest on what man says or does.  Romans 15:4 says, “Everything that was written … (and) taught in the Scriptures … (are for our) encouragement (and to give us) … hope.”

The psalmist, in Psalm 62:5 said, “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.”  He did not have one doubt regarding his hope and was completely sure of the promises that God had made.  Three things are evident from the words of Scripture.  (1) First, the source of hope is God, Himself.  There is just no one better in which to place one’s confidence.  (2) Second, God will accomplish whatever He says.  We can be assured that if God says it, he means it, and we can count on it.  It will come to pass because it is God who has made the promise.  (3) Third, we need to go to the Bible to find the promises that give us hope.  God’s Word provides the encouragement we need.  His Word also suggests that we need to confidently place our trust in what is contained in His holy word.

Years ago in New York City, Eugene Land, a self-made millionaire, was asked to speak to a class of 59 sixth graders.  He prepared a speech, but as he stood before the students, he decided to forget his prepared speech and speak to the students from his heart.  As he spoke he admonished the students to "Stay in school."  He went on to say, "Stay in school and I'll help pay the college tuition for every one of you."

Wow!  At that moment, the lives of these students were changed. For the first time someone had given them hope.  One student said, "I had something to look forward to, something waiting for me. It was a golden feeling." I am sure you are wondering if Eugene Land’s words were fulfilled.  Well, nearly 90 percent of that class went on to graduate from high school and attend college.  These youngsters had a hope in which they were confident. 

Sometimes what man says does not come to pass.  But we can always be sure that what God says will transpire.  If He says it, He will do it.  Put your confidence in God.