Real Hope: HOPESample

Sure and Steadfast Hope

I recently asked my close friendship group about what they personally see as the difference between hope, faith and trust. It was interesting to see different thoughts – some based on experience, some based on deep biblical study, some based on Star Wars.

What was clear and consistent, though, is that hope, faith and trust are all placed somewhere.

When looking specifically at hope, Romans 15:4 is so interesting to pull out and look at all on its own. What Paul offers in this verse is that we can have a confident hope by seeing what God has done, time and time again, as revealed throughout the unchanging scriptures. I love that it’s partnered with the word ‘endurance’. What we read throughout scripture provides the encouragement we need to keep going – to endure, trusting that God is at work and will work all things together for good. In a sense, the encouragement to us, when our hope is fading, is to dig into the scripture. Look for God. See what He’s done. Remember His faithfulness and goodness.

As we mature in life and in our relationship with God, we begin to build our own stories. We can see that God has shown up time and time again, faithfully bringing goodness into seemingly hopeless situations. Despite that and unexpectedly, hopelessness can still take root. We are human after all.

This is why the sure and steadfast, unchanging Word of God is such a faithful source of true, lasting hope.

Written by SUSIE HOLT