As soon as our daughter announced the impending arrival of our fifth grandchild, we immediately began to hope for a girl. Of course, we would have welcomed and loved another grandson just as much. But we already had four and wanted the full grandparent experience. Both superheroes and princesses, frogs and frills. And I wanted to buy some bows.
We knew we couldn’t control the outcome. We knew it was a 50/50 shot. But we kept hoping for a girl. I am excited to announce that our hopes were fulfilled in January when sweet miss Ella arrived!
We toss that word “hope” around so casually. I hope the Astros will win the World Series. I hope it will rain soon. I hope there will soon be a cure for Alzheimer’s.
And while the Astros making it into the playoffs would probably be a safe bet, it isn’t a done deal. (By the way, this is just a figure of speech. I’m not condoning gambling!) There’s no certainty in baseball or any hope placed on the things of this world. None of them are sure.
Is Your Hope Just a Wish?
I think for many of us, our common, everyday use of the word hope negatively impacts the way we see and understand our hope in Jesus. If you are a Christian, you have not only put your faith in Jesus’ work on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins, you have also placed your hope in Him for your salvation. Your “hope” for today and for your eternal future is in Him.
But how do you view that “hope?” Would you say your hope in Jesus is sure? Certain?
Many see our hope in Jesus as something that is “more likely than not.” Like something we are betting on, but not completely sure of. But that’s not the way the Bible presents it.
Our Hope in Jesus is Certain
For instance, in Hebrews 6, the author wrote that when God first gave His eternal promise of salvation to Abraham, He not only gave the promise, He guaranteed the promise with an oath on His own unchanging, true character. The promise of eternal salvation is guaranteed by God who cannot lie. It’s a sure thing. (See Hebrews 6:13-18.)
Since our hope for eternity is guaranteed and sure, it’s like an anchor for our lives. “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul“ (Hebrews 6:19a). Even though circumstances might rock us, we will not sink and we will not be thrown off course because our hope in Christ holds us fast and secure.
Do you see your hope in Christ like this? A sure thing? A guarantee? If not, cast your doubts aside and claim God’s secure promise!
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I thank God for coming across these amazing Bible Studies, they are very enlightening.