Hope is a word I hear often. It is used so frequently that it has lost its passion. We use it to talk about getting a reservation for dinner, losing weight, and even going to Heaven. It has pretty much lost its true meaning. Hope is the earnest desire and expectation of something. To be earnest is to show a sincere and intense conviction for something. I doubt we would feel that way about a dinner reservation, or maybe some would. The world we live in places great value on things that have no meaning at all in the big picture of life. Hope is a complex emotion it desires and expects a certain outcome, and when the desires or expectations are out of proportions hope is diminished and the mind is not at peace.
In Romans 12:12, we are to rejoice in hope. If we are to be able to rejoice, we must have our hope anchored in something that is stable. There must be a sense of peace in order to rejoice. Notice the progression of the verse. We are to be patient in tribulation, a hard task for anyone, but with the hope of a home without any tears, death, and no pain, we can make it, and have joy in the process. It is our hope of this home that makes bad times not only bearable but helps us to grow in our faith while enduring.
The other aspect of being able to rejoice in hope is our prayer life. The end of verse 12 says we are to be instant in prayer. We must be constant and cherish an attitude of prayer. Our minds need to be fixed on Him all throughout the day. It’s like having your loved ones’ home with you. You may not be in the same room, but you know they are there. You feel at ease, safe, and connected as you go about your task or settle in for the evening, knowing everyone is accounted for and safe at home. The great part about being a Christian is knowing that no matter where I go or what my situation is, I know that God is there with me. There’s no thinking, or even hoping He’s with us. He promised He would be and that settles it.
Romans 12:12 “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”
Hope for a Christian is a belief that is grounded in our faith. A faith that is anchored in the promises from the God we can trust with everything. It is the blessed hope of eternal life with Jesus that spurs us on to live a godly life. A life that is more concerned about pleasing God than pleasing others. We press forward with hope because we know that one day Jesus will return to take us to Heaven.
Titus 2:11-13 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;”
It is our hope that others can see our lifestyle that is different and joyful and desire what we have. In 1 Peter 3:15, we are to sanctify God in our hearts and be ready to give an answer to others as to why we are so hopeful. We sanctify Him by esteeming Him as holy. When we understand this holy God makes no mistakes we will live differently from the world. We will stop the murmuring and complaining. We will humble ourselves to His will instead of acting in rebellion. We will show respect to His name and the things of God. Our language and our actions will be reverent and respectful toward Him and others. When we reverence Him and have a proper fear of God, our soul will be calm when all around us is in turmoil. David exhibited that in Psalm 56:3 when he said, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.” When this is our attitude others will take note. If you live that way long enough around them, they will ask why you react and act the way you do. This is not only witnessing to them with your mouth, but you are teaching them with your actions long before you teach with words. Because of our hope in God we are always looking forward with great anticipation. We don’t live in the past because our hope is in the future that God has promised to us. We are pressing forward with everything in us.
I Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asked you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
So, back to the title. Where is your hope? Before you answer, examine your daily life and see if your actions match what your verbal answer would be. Are you putting your hope in a job, in a person, or in an organization? Is it in an action such as baptism or church membership? If your hope is not in God it’s in the wrong place.
