May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Hope = Desire + Faith
Biblical hope tethers desire with faith. Biblical hope is not merely a desire that something good might happen in the future. Instead, it is the firm confidence that it will because God will bring it to pass. The Apostle Paul connects trust (faith), hope and joy in Romans 15:13. That is because coupled with faith and joy, hope is an enduring character of a believer. The Bible tells us that the Lord delights in those who put their hope in him (Psalm 147:11).
Sovereign Lord, as you have promised…
Simeon’s life was a hallmark of Biblical hope. It had been revealed to him (Luke 2:26) by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah. Simeon held on to that promise with hope. Days, months and years must have gone by, yet he firmly put his hope in God. One glorious day, moved by the Holy Spirit (Luke 2:27), he went to the temple and got to hold the saviour of this world in his arms (Luke 2:28). What a delightful moment that must have been! Simeon’s prayer thanking God begins with the words: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised” (Luke 2:29). In these gracious words are evident Simeon’s faith, joy and hope.
Even then I will be confident…
The book of Psalm, in a way, is like a private journal. Many chapters cornicle the anguish, emotions, fears, witness, praise and the unshakable hope of David. God had identified the throne of Israel as David’s destiny. Yet, the years before David became king were not one of banquets, gold and luxury. Instead of honour and prestige, he was hunted like a dog by Saul. In all of these uncertain days, David never lost hope. His confidence was in God. Psalm 27 captures some of those moments of anguish and despair. David was on the run from Saul, who was determined to take his life (1 Samuel 24:11). Saul had a large army. In comparison, David was mostly a lonely man. His circumstances did not order the course of his life. His hope in God did. His hope in God was so deeply rooted that he was sure that even Saul’s mighty army would not prevail against him. David’s faith, joy and hope are evident in his gracious words: “Though an army besieges me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, even then, I will be confident” (Psalm 27:3).
I am the resurrection and the life…
Simeon and David’s hope are just two examples of Biblical hope. The pinnacle of hope, however, is in Jesus. 2,000 plus years ago, on a morning probably not all very different from today, hope seemed fleeting for the many followers of Jesus. Hope for them must have been as heavy as the stone laid across Jesus’s tomb until the sun rose that glorious Sunday morning. They perhaps had forgotten that standing at Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus proclaimed the most profound words in history: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25). These are hope-filled words. Jesus’s words offer us hope, both for this life and the next. It is a profound promise, like no other.
May the God of hope fill you…
In a bewildering world, Easter brings hope. Easter is not about coloured eggs and bunnies. Easter is about hope for everyone through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to bring us hope. Hope for the future, that we will be redeemed to eternal life. Hope for the present that we are not alone but are deeply loved. Hope even over the past, that our failures are not greater than God’s forgiveness, mercy and grace. Many men of God put their hope in God. Their hope was never in vain. This Easter, find hope in Jesus, placing your faithful confidence in Him. When you place it in God, your hope too will not be in vain. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).