WHAT is hope? Romans 8:24, for we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope, for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? Therefore, hope, is a short or long term expectation of anything, either physically or spiritually.
Hope is the belief or expectation that something wished for can and will happen. Hope is been assured of a positive end in the midst of uncertainties and unsuitable situations (Rom 4:18).
Hope is looking behind the challenges and seeing a beautiful prospects, and celebrating (Titus 2:13).
Hope is hanging on to the blissful promise, in the face of unfavourable outcomes (Rom 4:20). Hope is waiting for a favourable end, while running the race. Hope is the virtuous desire for future good. The beauty of hope is that it doesn’t not disappoint or make any ashamed. Christianity is only ran by hope, because it cannot be seen but it is certain.
Hope: A virtue to be desired
Heb. 6:18 – That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.
Hope is a godly virtue, to be coveted, exercised dependent on how well you trust God. Hope is a divine deposit and it’s exercised in God. Hope is such a virtue that should be held by all Christians. It keeps you going in the face of all disappointments and uncertainties. It gives a sense of a peaceful sailing and arrival of destination, even when the tides seems turbulent.
We have been told about life, that it is not a bed of roses; also Christianity is not a call to eating, merriment and drinking. You will come across some adversity along your journey, your hope virtue for a blessed end is what will keep you from committing suicide and the common self inflicted vices we experience in the society today. The way to acquire this virtue is by studying God’s word,  thereby gaining experiences in the with God and learning to trust God more.
Hope: As a person (Jesus Christ). – I Tim 1:1 – Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; Hope is a person or thing that is a source of hope. Christ the only hope and source of our hope. He is the hope of the living and the dead (I Thes 4:13). Having Christ is having hope, no wonder, Paul says Christ in me the hope of glory (Col. 1:27); this to say, no matter how ugly your present state is, or bad possible outcomes could appear, with Christ you can stand sure and secure and boldly declare my tomorrow is glories and my end is blessed. Imagine, he offers hope to even the dead. He is also the source of hope (Acts 4:12) having him as a saviour, Lord, brother and friend is having hope.
Come to him in open heart surrendering your life to him, and obtain a blessed hope that won’t put you to shame.
Hope of Glory (Col 1:27) – To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentles; which Christ in you, the hope of glory.
There is nothing as valuable as being certain of a prospective future, this is the major rejoicing in the heart of every believer. This is the backbone and secret behind our being ever joyful (Rom 12:12), because of the full assurance of hope for a glorious end; therefore we despair not at the present to produce the future. We are confident of a blissful future on earth and a glorious one after life (I Tim 4:8; Job 8:7). Our hope never puts us to shame; but brings quickly our expectations.
Are you despair, or loosing it? Brace up your self your hope is what will take you to glory. Remain ever hopeful.
Hope Until The End (1 Pt 1:13) – Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, so sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Hope is a very powerful virtue in Christianity that always of necessity brings and delivers that which it is exercised over eventually. Therefore we are advised to hold our profession of hope to the end.
Hope is hope when what is hoped for is not in view (Rom 8:24). Thus hope doesn’t end until the “hoped for” is achieved. Are you thinking of giving up, encourage yourself with the truth, hope doesn’t put its client to shame, God reserves the best for the last, those that wait, on him are renewed, though thy beginning was small thy later end shall increase greatly. He is too faithful to fail you.
Keep hope alive, for in the appointed time, it will speak and not lie, though it tarry, hope on still, it will not tarry but it will come to pass.
Sustenance of Hope (Ps 78:7) – That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the work of God, but keep his commandments.
Hope being a virtue that doesn’t proffers instant response, is thus necessary to be sustained. Hope is sustained by some keys factors examined below.
Hope is primarily sustained by an intimate relationship with God, who is the source of all true hope (I Tim 1:1). Hope stands stronger with respect to the strength of intimacy, and hope produces it’s dividends quicker by virtue of the relationship strength. Experiences are the main programs that helps sustains or destroy hope. When retaining a good relationship with God, it produces some encounters, which gives you a reason to hope on still.
Romans 5:3-5, says “we glory in tribulation also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience, and experience hope; and hope maketh not ashamed. Any experience encountered with God in fellowship, builds your hope to stand strong and produce it’s desires. Please intimate and discretely maintain a healthy by constant and continuously communicate in prayers and word study.
Steadfast hope (2 Cor. 1:7) – And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so shall you be also of the consolation steadfast hope is a fixed or unchanging hope, in which we patiently and unwaveringly await the crown of every work done, trials overcome and decision taken in life.
Apostle Paul, after finishing his race here on earth because of the steadfast hope he officially and openly declared the awaiting of his crown. Hope is not to be shaky, but firm (Heb. 6:19). A shaky hope will not receive anything from God (Jam 1:6-7). To be steadfast, you must sustain hope by an unending fellowship, this, you must carry on steadfast to the end, to attain glory at last, which is only through a personal and genuine encounter with Christ, the source of all hope, this we should do daily and earnestly pursue, so your expectations will manifest. Every living creature, living by hope, walk by hope and invest in hope. Never give up, never loose hope but be steadfast for the result is at hand.
God bless you.