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.

Confidence Amid Change

Change is something that affects all of us and we often resist it.  In spite of resisting some change there is other change that we personally accept – like purchasing a different home, accepting a new job, moving to another city or state, or getting married.  We readily accept these changes because we have control over them.  Other changes are those that we gradually slide into.  For example, instead of phone calls from friends and family we receive a text which initiates a texting conversation.  Very seldom do we pick up a dictionary or encyclopedia for an answer to a question.  Instead, we pick up our phones and ask “Google.”

There is another kind of change that most people do not like – and that is change that makes things worse for them.  People resist this kind of change because they personally lose control or they face an unknown situation. Peter Senge has wisely said, “People don’t resist change. They resist being changed.”  Most change brings instability.  That is why many people like to know what the boundaries are and be reasonably sure of what will happen.  They want the kind of change on which they can rely and that which gives them confidence during a time of need.

There are two things that I know in which we can be completely confident, and which will never change.  These are – God and God’s Word.  Regarding God, the Bible tells us, “I the Lord do not change” (Malachi 3:6); and, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). These statements give us confidence because we discover that we can always count on God.  He is always there for us.  He will always act in the same way.  And He is the same now as He was years ago and how He will be in the future.  Regarding the Word of God Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” I Peter 1:25 continues by saying, “The word of the Lord endures forever”. These verses give us the confidence that we can completely rely on God’s Word because it will last when other things change and fade away.  As a result we can be assured of and can fully count on what God’s Word says.

Are you anxious about something that is happening to you or in your world today?  Do you desire stability that gives you confidence, assurance and hope during troubling times? Why not put your trust in that which will never change?  Why not turn to God in simple faith and rest in His promises?  Why not open the Bible and discover what God wants to tell you?  In both God and His Word, you will find strength and steadiness to help you during times of turbulence, uncertainty and doubt.