You’ve probably heard a lot about hope.
It’s talked about all the time, especially in difficult situations.
But what does it really mean? What does the Bible say about hope? Is it just wishful thinking, or is there something deeper to it? In this article, we’ll dive into the biblical meaning of hope.
We’ll look at examples of how hope is described in Scripture, what it means to have hope in God versus just being optimistic, and how you can cultivate true hope in your own life.
Many people are lacking real hope these days, so understanding the biblical meaning of this powerful virtue could not be more relevant.
As we explore what the Bible says about hope, you’ll gain a fresh perspective and walk away renewed and encouraged.
Defining Hope in the Bible
Hope is one of the central themes of the Bible.
In Scripture, hope is not wishful thinking, but rather a firm assurance of future good.
God as the Source of Hope
As believers, our hope is in God – He is the source of true hope.
We hope in His love, His promises, His salvation, and His coming kingdom.
The psalmist writes, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” God is faithful, and His plans for us are good.
Hope as Confident Expectation
Biblical hope is not uncertain or doubting.
It is a confident expectation and assurance in God and His promises.
The writer of Hebrews says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” We have hope in the promises of God, even though we have not yet seen their fulfillment.
We can be confident that God will do what He says He will do.
Hope in God’s Salvation
As Christians, our ultimate hope is in God’s salvation and the new heavens and new earth.
We hope in resurrection from the dead and eternal life with God.
Paul says, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Our hope of salvation sustains us in this life and gives us purpose.
It is the anchor for our souls.
Hope Produces Joy
Hope produces joy and peace in believers.
Paul tells the Romans, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Our hope in God allows us to rejoice, even in suffering, because we know His plans are good.
Biblical hope brings deep and abiding joy.
In summary, hope in Scripture is confident expectation, trust and assurance in God and His promises.
He is the source of hope, and through faith in Him, we have hope of salvation and eternal life.
This hope produces joy and peace as we await His coming kingdom.
Old Testament References to Hope
The Old Testament is filled with references to hope and trusting in God’s promises.
In Psalm 39:7, David wrote, “And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.” Hope was synonymous with faith in God’s faithfulness.
Hope for a Savior
The prophets spoke of a coming Messiah, giving Israel hope for a savior.
Isaiah proclaimed, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.” (Isaiah 9:2).
The Messiah would bring light and life.
Hope for Restoration
Israel also hoped for restoration from captivity and oppression.
Jeremiah 31:17 says, “There is hope in your future, says the Lord, that your children shall come back to their own border.” After the destruction of Jerusalem, Ezekiel gave the people hope that God would restore them.
“I will accept you as sweet aroma when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered; and I will be hallowed in you before the Gentiles.” (Ezekiel 20:41).
Hope for Redemption
Despite their sins and failures, Israel could hope in God’s redemption.
“With the Lord there is mercy; with Him there is abundant redemption.” (Psalm 130:7).
God’s redemption gave Israel hope that they could be forgiven and saved.
The Old Testament illustrates how hope was rooted in God’s promises for the future.
Despite adversity, Israel trusted that God would fulfill His word.
As the Psalmist proclaimed, “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.” (Psalm 130:5).
Hope was worth waiting for.
New Testament Scriptures on Hope
The New Testament is filled with messages of hope for believers.
One of the most well-known verses is Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” This shows us that God is the source of hope, and He will fill us with joy and peace if we put our trust in Him.
Hope in the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the basis for Christian hope.
In 1 Peter 1:3, the apostle Peter writes, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Because Jesus overcame death, we have hope in eternal life.
This hope is “living” and active, giving us purpose and direction in how we live our lives now.
Hope in Salvation
The New Testament also links hope to salvation.
For example, 1 Thessalonians 5:8 says, “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” The hope of being saved from our sins and receiving eternal life protects our minds and gives us perseverance.
In Colossians 1:27, Paul says, “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Christ in us is our hope of one day sharing in His glory.
Hope Through Difficulties
Hope in Scripture is not always an optimistic feeling.
Biblical hope is a confident expectation in God, even in the midst of suffering or uncertainty.
Romans 5:3-4 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Going through difficulties produces endurance and strength of character, which leads to hope.
This hope is in God’s faithfulness and the eternal purpose He is working out in our lives.
The New Testament gives us many reasons to hope in God and His promises.
This hope will never disappoint us because it is secured by His love and the sacrifice of His Son.
Despite what we face in this life, we can have hope through faith in Jesus Christ.
Hope in Jesus Christ
For Christians, hope finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
Through his death and resurrection, Jesus conquered sin and death, providing a way for us to be reconciled to God and have eternal life.
When we place our faith in Jesus, we can have hope in God’s promises and in an eternal future with Him.
Hope for Today
Even though Jesus has ensured our eternal hope, He also provides hope for our lives today.
He promises to be with us always, giving us strength, comfort, and guidance through the Holy Spirit.
We can have hope in His sufficient grace and strength during times of hardship or suffering.
We can hope in His provision and care for us each and every day.
Though the world offers little hope, Jesus offers us an eternal and living hope.
Hope for Tomorrow
The hope we have in Christ extends far beyond this life.
Because Jesus rose from the dead, we have hope in the resurrection—we will rise again to eternal life with Him.
We have hope in the new heaven and new earth promised in Revelation, where there will be no more sin, suffering, or death.
We can have hope in ultimately being with Jesus forever and experiencing eternal joy and peace in His presence.
This is the blessed hope that sustains Christians through difficult times.
Hope to Share
The hope we have in Jesus is meant to be shared with others.
We are called to spread the good news of Christ so that more people can experience His saving grace and lasting hope.
Even when the world seems hopeless, we know the end of the story—Christ has won the victory.
We have hope to offer people in a hopeless world.
As followers of Jesus, may we be faithful to share this living hope with all those around us each and every day.
Our hope is meant to be shared.
Applying Biblical Hope in Your Life
Hope is more than just wishful thinking.
According to the Bible, hope is a deeply rooted belief that God is faithful and will fulfill his promises.
How can you apply this kind of hope in your everyday life?
First, anchor your hope in God’s character and promises.
God is faithful, loving, and powerful.
He has given you many promises in his Word that he will never leave you, he will provide for your needs, he will give you wisdom, he will renew your strength.
Meditate on these truths and let them fill you with hope and confidence.
Second, choose to hope even in difficult circumstances.
It’s easy to feel hopeful when life is going well.
But true hope comes from trusting God no matter what.
Like Abraham, hope against hope, believing that God can accomplish the impossible.
He is able to redeem any situation for your good and his glory.
Finally, spread hope to others.
As God’s people, we are called to be ambassadors of hope.
Share scriptures with others, encourage them with stories of God’s faithfulness in your own life, help meet their practical needs.
Your words and actions can be used by God to ignite hope in the lives of people who desperately need it.
Biblical hope is a precious gift.
It allows us to face each day with confidence, endure hard times with patience, and look to the future with joyful expectation.
So keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith, and hold fast to the hope he has given you.
It is an anchor for your soul, firm and secure.
