All Christians stand on the promises of God. We all hope in the coming of the Lord and eternal life promised to the faithful. John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
The concept of hope is broader than the word itself. Testament. Ecclesiastes 9:4 “For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.” So, it characterizes the living. While man is alive, he can hope. Hope is rooted in God. It is not wishful thinking. It is surely, because of Yahweh God. Therefore, hope is a confident expectation. God is the basis of hope because of his known character, and his past deeds. The basis of our hope is the relationship that exists between us. The God who bought us with His blood cannot fail. He is faithful, and his promises cannot fail, He is trustworthy, and we can confidently hope in him.
God is the ground of hope by reason of his nature and attributes. His steadfast love, or covenant love, is especially set forth as the rock-solid ground of hope. The Lord’s steadfast love never ceases, his mercies never come to an end, and his faithfulness is great. Lamentations 3:22-23 “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” The source of hope is the character of God.
Ultimately God is the ground of hope. II Corinthians 1:10 “Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;” Paul’s expectation of God’s deliverance in the future is dependent on his past experience of such help. This aspect has its place in Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;” God’s faithfulness should encourage perseverance in their confession of the things hoped for.
Finally, there is the hope of resurrection for which Paul claims to be on trial. Acts 26:6 “And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:” Paul admits to a hope in God. Acts 24:15 “And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.” Thus, hope is again founded on God, and the veracity of his Word. Hope thus relies on God and looks to the future. The most pertinent record of this aspect of hope is found in Titus 1:2 “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” Eternal life is depicted as a future possession hoped for.
Hope results from the promises of God. It is grounded in God. For in Christ, the supreme revelation of God has occurred, especially in his death and resurrection. Hence it is on the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus that Paul founds hope. Hope is also rooted in the resurrection of the Saviour. Death, Satan, and the evils of this age have been dealt with and overcome. But Jesus’ resurrection has also opened up the new age and so hope looks forward to its blessings. While hope is eager anticipation, it is securely anchored and firmly grounded in the saving deeds of the Son of God.
Dr Ashwin Drummond
Laddertoheaven.co.in