What is Biblical Hope? | Anchored in Hope Devotions

WHAT IS BIBLICAL HOPE?

Most of us can remember as children hoping that we would get a certain toy or game for our birthdays or Christmas. Or maybe for some of us, our hope was that our parents would quit arguing.

As adults we also have our hopes, such as a raise in our salary or just the hope we can keep our jobs.

As senior citizens, maybe our hope is that we will have enough income to pay our bills.

But when we see the word “hope” in the Bible it has a different meaning.

In both Hebrew and Greek, the meaning is a steadfast assurance or confident expectation. The reason we can have this kind of hope is because it is based upon the character of God and His faithfulness.

Psalm 33:18 - “Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear [stand in awe of] him, on those who hope in His steadfast love.”

We have confident assurance of His steadfast love.

Jeremiah 29:11 - “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.”

While this verse was written to the nation of Israel and their future; it is also true of Christians today. His plans for us are for our good both here and in heaven.

Romans 15:13 - “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

It is our all-powerful God who gives us abundant hope through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Romans 12:12 - “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

Even when trials come our way we can rejoice in hope. Jesus said that He would always be with us, and that our life here on earth is such a small time compared with an eternity with Him.

In 1 Timothy 1:1 Paul writes to Timothy, a young pastor, that “Christ Jesus is our hope.”

We have this hope and confidence in Him because He willingly paid the price of our sin debt on the cross, rose again the third day, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father, interceding for us continually.

When we have Biblical Hope our perspective on our life here on earth changes. We are secure in Jesus Christ, our Savior. He alone is our Hope.

- Sherry Meyer