things hoped for…Hebrews 11:1
We all know Abraham to be the father of our faith, but the truth is this: Abraham’s faith would never have found a way to express itself without hope. Faith reaches out to what we have hoped for. The Bible gives witness to Abraham’s hope, which was the key to what he received by faith: “Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping” (Romans 4:18 NLT). When the Psalmist found himself in a hard place in life, this is what he told himself: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God” (Psalm 42:5). Our hope fuels our faith and our faith takes hold of the promise of God. Amen!
This week as we go through life we need two things that will give us the strength and the ability to “hope against hope”. First, it is the word of God that gives us the ability to hope for that very thing that seems hopeless: “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). Second, the Holy Spirit is our helper at all times, and when it comes to hope it is no different: “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” (Romans 15:13). As we live from a place of “abounding hope” through the scripture and by the power of the Holy Spirt, let us be assured of this one thing: “hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5).
Declaration: This week I look at my situation and I thank God that there is hope. As I live this week drawing my strength from the scripture and from the Spirit of God, my declaration is this: “My hope will not be disappointed”.
Scripture: Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT)