Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice “IN HOPE” of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. — Romans 5:2-5 (NIV)
We may ask ourselves, “What is the meaning of hope?” According to Merriam Webster hope is to expect something with confidence!
expect means to await some occurrence or outcome. To expect implies a high degree of certainty and usually involves the idea of preparing or envisioning. We must SEE it!
hope implies little certainty but suggests confidence or assurance in the possibility that what one desires or longs for will happen. We have to BELIEVE it!
look, towards something, implies assurance that expectations will be fulfilled, LOOK forward to, implies less assurance and suggests an attitude of expectancy and watchfulness. We have to EXPECT it!
When we put all of this together something seems to be missing. The missing piece is “Trust.” We can’t “Hope” for something if we don’t “Trust” in someone or something to make it possible.
The Apostle Paul reassures us according to his letter to the church in Rome that we have been “justified” through our “faith” in the Lord Jesus Christ. And for those who believe in Him through “faith” we receive 1. Peace, 2. Love, 3. Joy, and 4. Hope.
Life is full of things that try to keep us disillusioned, the world is covered in dishonesty and paints a constant picture of discouragement. And although we may experience the pressures that both financial and physical circumstances can bring we can still “Rejoice” in our sufferings. Because while we are going through these difficult times “God’s Grace” is there for us as we “Seek After Him” during these difficult times. We must make “Christ our focus” and not our problems. Because He will provide us with the perseverance that we need that will build the character that produces the courage needed to overcome life’s difficulties. God cares about us so much that His love gives us the ability to look beyond our present problems to an everlasting hope in Him. Hope in God is poured out through His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit to comfort us through our problems knowing that His presence is always near. We have this Hope…. Our hope is Jesus Christ!