The Bible has quite a bit to say about Hope. It speaks of Hope as having a confident expectation and trust in God’s goodness and His promises. Biblical Hope is not “wishful thinking,” but a steady expectation of God’s abiding faithfulness.

As the outset, it is important that we look at some important concepts related to hope. Interestingly, hope is intimately connected with faith. Notice how the writer of the Book of Hebrews defined “faith,”   

“Faith is the confidence in what we hope for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

You can see that “faith” and “hope” go hand in hand. And in that regard, the Apostle Paul tells us that all biblical Hope is not seen with the physical eyes, but with our spiritual eyes as we put our trust in God’s promises:

“Hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait patiently for it” (Romans 8:24-25).

Yes, we do not see what we Hope for, but we Hope for the promises of those things that are not seen.

Furthermore, we must realize that the foundation of our Hope comes from God Himself, as the Apostle Paul affirms,

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him…” (Romans 15:13).

Keeping these important concepts in mind, let’s explore the concept of “Hope” in the Old Testament. Solomon tells us that hope is a fundamental component of the life of the righteous,

“Do not let your heart envy sinners but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off (Proverbs 23:17-18).

We must also recognize the fact that many of the well-known biblical characters experienced times when Hope was hanging by a thread. In his misery, the Scriptures indicate that Job lamented his dreadful situation on two different occasions,

My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and they come to an end without hope” (Job 7:6).

“Where then is my hope? Who can see any hope for me” (Job 17:15)?

But Job wasn’t the only one. As Jeremiah witnessed the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, he confessed that he was on the brink of losing all Hope in the LORD,

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.  I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope” (Lamentations 3:19-21).

And what was it that Jeremiah “called to mind?” He continued by saying,

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23).

And I suspect that these words from God to the nation delivered through Jeremiah are familiar to most of you,  

“I know the plans that I have for you, plans to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

But Jeremiah wasn’t the only prophet of “Hope” as Isaiah foresaw the restoration of Israel after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC. It was at that time that he revealed these words from the LORD, 

“Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will not be disappointed” (Isaiah 49:23).

As we wrap up these reflections on “Hope” from the Old Testament, I’d like us to remember these words from the LORD spoken through the Prophet Isaiah,

“…those who hope in Me will not be disappointed.”

Let’s believe, memorize, and apply these words to our lives this week. I “hope” to see you next week as we look at what the New Testament has to say about “Hope.”

Sincerely, Jim Price