Hope
So, our biblical hope should be one of confident assurance, the same hope that Jesus modeled.
FEATUREDDEVOTIONS
Hope (by David Peterson at The Rock Of Jesus Church)
This devotion has always cited the words of Jesus and today, on the subject of hope, it is difficult to find Him using the word “hope” in any of the 4 Gospels. Yet, Jesus represented hope in everything He did and said. Jesus personified hope and modeled His life with a resolute mindset, (and heart-set), focused on hope.
The Hebrew word for hope has the meaning of confidence and security but also lacks any element of doubt. The Greek word for hope is elpis/elpizo, and also, has no doubt attached to its meaning. So, our biblical hope should be one of confident assurance, the same hope that Jesus modeled. Hope is abundant when Jesus healed the lame and sick, when He promised heaven to the man on the third cross, and when He rose from the dead.
Hebrews 11:1 informs us “Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen.” In this chapter about faith we can be sure of all the promises that God grants us through His Word. Our hope, then, is confidence in God. About this hope Apostle Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3:15; “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect.”
As believers, we should all be able to account in our hope for the Lord. Pastor David Faust once wrote about Jesus’ model of hope; “Jesus didn’t need to say the word hope a lot to drive home its power. Because for Jesus, hope isn’t a campaign slogan, an empty promise, or a casual greeting on a Christmas card. For Jesus, hope is a way of life.”
This Christmas Season let us all marvel at the hope Jesus, our Christ, brought into the world 2,000 years ago! What great love God has bestowed upon us!
Let us pray: Christ Jesus, we commemorate your birth into this world once again. Our hope is in you, all that you represent, and all of the promises you provided. Our faith is in you and we have a confident assurance that your promises will be fulfilled. Amen.
