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.
