Hope is an aspect of life that all men and women need. I think that the world often confuses hope with optimism. Here is an extract from an article that I took off the internet:
‘As Oscar Romero once said, ‘Hope is not resignation; it is a commitment to continue to struggle.’ Therefore, hope creates endurance and strength in a person. Otherwise he or she is simply sitting back and wishing away his or her life. This is not the way to live! One must take action and decide what will become of their life. …. Hope is not merely wishful thinking; it is much more than that. Hope is knowing and strongly believing that though one is in a desperate situation, things will improve. This faith and optimism has helped individuals gather enough courage to get through the day throughout history. In fact, hope was personified in Greek mythology as Elpis, and when Pandora opened Pandora's Box, she let out all the evils except one: hope. The ancient Greeks considered hope to be as dangerous as all the world's evils, but without hope to accompany all their troubles, humanity was filled with despair. It was a great relief when Pandora revisited her Box and let out hope as well. In today's world, however, hope remains strong on the list of human needs. It is like a single candle in a dark hallway, it gives off just enough light to continue on and find the way out of the darkness. This light of hope burns so strongly in the hearts of some, that it is all they need to keep on living. Hope is not resignation; it is motivation and the foundation to build one's life upon.’
The concept of hope spoken of in the above quote is typical of the world’s understanding of hope. Biblical hope is fundamentally different as it is firmly rooted and grounded in God and particularly in the saving work of Jesus Christ on Calvary. I do not think there is any real hope outside of the great grace of God. Paul in Ephesians 2:11-13 reminds us gentile of our lot in life before the gospel of Christ was extended to us. Paul says, ‘Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.’ What a dreadful state to be in ‘having no hope and without God in the world.’ Every Christian should be filled with great compassion for unbelievers who have no hope and are without God in the world.
Over the next 2 months we will examine the Biblical concept of hope. We will not only look at how devastating it is to have no hope and be without God in the world, but also at the hope Christians have even when their lives are in turmoil and confusion due to the complex trials of life. As we look at the biblical concept of hope I pray that God will answer the prayer found in Romans 15:13, ‘Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’
Pastor Trevor
