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 The
Scriptures have considerable to say on the subject of hope. And
yet, I am convinced that many of us are not enjoying and
appreciating our hope, as we should simply out of a failure to
really understand what it is and how it affects us.
Hope
is that which reaches off into the future and attaches itself on
to that which we both desire and expect to receive. It is not
necessarily affected by externalities, but is a mental
persuasion which, even in the face of extreme persecution or
intense pain, remains strong and active. As such, it becomes at
once a strong and vital force in fighting such things as
discouragements, failures of various sorts, frustrations, even
death itself. Is it any wonder that the Hebrew writer calls it
"the anchor for the soul"?
Hope
is composed of two ingredients — desire and expectation. In
the absence of either, there is no real hope. For instance, I
may desire a thing which I cannot possibly expect to receive;
such would not be hope. I may expect a thing which is not at all
desirable; such, likewise, would not be hope. But when I greatly
desire a thing and have a warm expectation of receiving that
thing, that is hope. And what a blessing!
It
is hope which keeps us on the right course. Just as an
electronic homing signal keeps the pilot of the aircraft on
course, our hope keeps us following the proper heading. It is
our hope which gives us the point of fixation needed to
"keep our bark aright." Without it we would not have
the goal we need to look to.
Hope
lightens our load. It is our hope
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which makes us unaware of even
the hardest burden. The presence of hope
makes it possible for us to over come seemingly insuperable
obstacles, It causes us to have a healthy disposition toward
trials and hardships, too, giving us the fuel to overcome and
the virtue to persevere. When a person can see the journey's
end, the path toward it somehow seems far less severe. And even
though the path may be strewn with obstacles of various sorts,
hope makes it possible for us to see far less of them than we do
the light at the end of the way.
And
hope intensifies our desires, too. When we conclude that a thing
is possible, we suddenly realize the strength to carry on so as
to achieve the goal. In fact, our conviction becomes a far more
workable tool once we have realized the possibility of success.
Hope is like a "second wind" to an athlete who needs
it to finish a long and difficult run. Is it any wonder that
hope and faith are connected together (Cf. Heb. 11:1)?
Hope
provides confidence. In 2 Pet. 1:4 Peter says, "Whereby are
given to us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these
ye might become partakers of the divine nature..." Notice
that it is the promises which provide us with the confidence we
need. What a balm for the weary!
And
hope is our connection to heaven. Without it we would not be
able to visualize the joy that awaits the faithful. 'Truly,
"hope springs eternal"!
--Dee Bowman
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