Real Hope

Romans 5:24 says: "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?" (KJV) What is hope? Hope can be defined as the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best. The emphasis on hope is the feeling you have about a situation. However, this is not Biblical hope. The word "hope" in the verse is the Greek word elpis and it means desire of some good with expectation of obtaining it. The expectation is the difference. Worldly hope is feeling good; Biblical hope is the existence of expectation based on something outside of yourself. Worldly hope focuses on your emotions, whereas Biblical hope focuses on the goodness of God. Real hope is found in the Word of God. The Scriptures contain within them "hope." That hope is based on what the Word says. If it is healing you need, the Scriptures abound with promises that God wills to heal. Therefore, your hope of healing is an expectation to receive healing. The Scriptures promise that God will meet the needs of His children. Therefore, you can boldly proclaim, "My God meets all my needs through Jesus Christ who lives within me." Hope believes in the manifestation of the object hoped for.

God is a good God. He loves us and desires that we live lives according to His Word. Deuteronomy 28 promises many blessings for obedience, and many curses for disobedience. As we live our lives, we should consume the Word of God by reading, studying, meditating, and memorizing it. As we do, we partake of hope. Hope becomes very real in our lives. It is not a feeling that is being obtained; instead, it is expectation in the goodness of God that is known. As hope grows, expectation increases. As the Word is thought about, spoken from our lips, and acted on, we have increased hope.

The world is looking for answers. The economy is on dangerous ground. The world faces many problems. There is rioting on the streets of many cities around the world. It is time for the people of God to stand up with the hope we have and proclaim it from the housetops. The world can spot a phony, so what you have needs to be real. It will be real for you when the Word of God is your true reality. When the Word is truth to you and not what your senses tell you, you will be ready to climb the ladder.