Hope for the New Year 2022

Besides peace and joy, hope is another word that gets overworked at Christmas. It is quite natural that the word hope would be very big at this time of the year. Christmas is after all the birthday of Jesus Christ. The arrival of a new baby is a time of hope. This was certainly the case with Jesus Christ, the long-awaited Messiah and Savior. He represents the hopes and aspirations of many who believe. On the eighth day after his birth, Jesus was dedicated by his parents in the Temple. Eight days after Christmas is the first day of our New Year. Along with Christmas, the arrival of the New Year brings renewed hopes and expectations for peace and prosperity. So it is no wonder that many holiday cards make mention or use the word hope.

A lot of people, including my grandchildren, hoped for certain things at Christmas (and dropped big hints)! Many others are hoping for particular things in the New Year: the end of the pandemic, a job, increased business, new or improved relationships. Much of what we call hope is in reality wishful thinking. The biblical concept of hope is not mere expectation or desire. Biblical hope is confident expectation; it is trust in God. The New Testament uses several adjectives with the word hope. There is “good” hope (II Thess. 2:16), “blessed” hope (Titus 2:13), a “better” hope (Heb. 7:19), and “living” hope (I Peter 1:3).

Would you like to have more of the biblical hope, which is a sure thing versus wishful thinking? Be careful before you answer this question. Reread what Paul wrote in Romans Chapter 5, “We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (v. 3 & 4). Did you get the progression mentioned in these verses: suffering, perseverance, character then hope? Paul also mentions to the Thessalonians their “endurance inspired by hope.” (I Thess. 1:3).

The New Testament uses the word hope in conjunction with several different things. There is hope in the future. Numerous times the Apostle Paul mentions to the various people he is writing, that he hopes to visit them soon (Rom. 15:24, I Cor. 16:7, I Tim. 3:14). To the Philippians, Paul hopes to send Timothy (2:23). Sometimes he adds the phrase, “if God wills…” We should always think this regarding our plans whether we consciously state it or not. One thing we can be certain about is the “hope of eternal life” (See I Thess. 4:13, Titus 1:2 & 3:7).

There is hope in God. The ground upon which our hope is based is of course “the God of hope” (Rom. 15:13). “We have put our hope in the living God who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe” (I Tim. 4:9-10). We ought to trust in God, not countries, corporations, or money (See I Tim. 5:5 & 6:17).Lastly, there is hope in Jesus Christ. The fountain head of hope is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. “In God’s great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (I Peter 1:3). “Christ in you is the hope of glory (Col. 1:27). “Christ Jesus is our hope” (I Tim. 1:1). “I/we hope in the Lord Jesus” (Phil. 2:19). His return is indeed “the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13).

Faith and hope are linked together. “Now faith is being sure of what we hoped for and certain of what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1). May you experience your hopes in 2022.

 

Faith, Love and Hope

The Apostle Paul wrote this to the believers in Ephesus: “Ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers” (Ephesians 1:15-16).

Two principle things Paul mentioned of these Ephesians are their faith and their love. These qualities led him to be thankful for them and prompted him to include them in his prayers. These great virtues, along with hope, which he also mentioned in verse 18, form the very essence of Christianity.

To the Corinthians, Paul stated, “…these three remain: faith, hope and love. The greatest of these is love” (2 Cor. 13:13). Because he was emphasizing the primacy of love, he arranged them in this particular order.

Let’s look at each of these words separately. Faith is appropriately listed first because it is foundational. It is through faith, not reason or works, that individuals experience God. True faith is evidenced by accompanying action. “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). Love is to be fundamental. Jesus told his followers: “All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another” (John 13:35). If we are not showing love then we are not following the Lord. The third element is hope. Because I know God and am giving and receiving love, I will have Biblical hope which gives endurance during trying and uncertain times.

When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he also touched upon these three virtues, “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love and your endurance inspired by hope” (1 Thess. 1:3). Notice the actions associated with each of these spiritual qualities and check to see if you have them. In these difficult days, we need true spirituality to get by and survive. We get more of each by exercising what faith, love and hope we currently possess.

When he wrote his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul echoed, “We always thank God for you because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring” (2 Thess. 1:3-4)

Notice the mention of trials so long ago and that people of faith are not exempt from such. We should be mindful of individuals around us in need and reach out globally to those who are experiencing unusual losses during this time of unstable markets, governments, environments, etc.

Can it be said that we are “growing” in faith, “increasing” in love, and “persevering” through hope as we live out our days.