To have real hope about or in something, it must be more than a mere dream or wish. For example, to hope that within the next week you will own a flying carpet is 100% dreaming, given today's technology. However, if a substance is discovered that counters gravity and can be controlled, directed and somehow woven into fabric, then your hope becomes a real possibility. But right now it is merely a "pipe dream."
For hope in God and his Word the Bible to be real, it must be based on realistic foundations. Emotions aside, what reasons can you think of to trust and have hope in God?
- Documented records (The Bible) Romans 15:4; Heb. 11. (No, this is not like the “historical documents” in the spoof movie Galaxy Quest. Archaeology provides irrefutable proof. Archaeology & book of Acts)
- Prophets Acts 3:19-26. (The record of true prophets demonstrates that when people heeded the direction, they had hope and life. That God repeatedly sent these men, and even sometimes women, forth demonstrates God’s care for us.)
- Prophecies (Example: 1 Cor. 15:24-28) (Besides the messenger, the message itself was and is encouraging to those that pay attention.)
- Fulfilled promises Josh. 23:14, 1 Peter 1:3 (Seeing fulfilled promises helps us have hope and confidence that God remembers us even now.)
- Future promises 1 Thes 5:8; Titus 2:13, Acts 23:6 (Just as God promised in times past to heal the plight of his servants, future promises comfort us.)
- Fact that Jehovah is a living God, a real God (and not some idol or invention of man’s imagination). 1 Timothy 4:10, Ps. 71:5;
How can hope help us right now? Paul wrote: “We desire each one of you to show the same industriousness so as to have the full assurance of the hope down to the end.” (Hebrews 6:11) Yes, hope can motivate us to maintain our loyalty to God and to be “industrious” with our time and efforts to help others serve God faithfully.
No comments:
Post a Comment