A Real Basis for Hope

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. (HEB 10.23)

Of all the people on the face of the earth, Christians have genuine, solid hope.  That hope is based on God’s promises and trustworthy character.

We hold fast to HOPE by continually looking to God’s PROMISES, assured that he is FAITHFUL to keep those promises.

What do those who don’t believe in Christ base their hope on?  What do they have to cling to in dark days?  I’ve heard people say things like “Every day in every way I get better and better”?  Really?  How do you know?  What do you base that on?  Some people seem to get worse and worse.

People say, “Things will all work out in the end,”  or “All things work for good.”  As an unbeliever, what do you base that on? The nature of the universe?  Some cosmic law?  Your feelings?  I don’t see everything all working out in the end or all things working for good for everyone.

We who believe in Christ base our hope on promises – promises of the God who cannot lie or change his mind.

I might promise you something, then forget to do it.  Or find I can’t keep my promise.  Or realize I wasn’t wise to make that promise.  But God never lies, never makes unwise promises he has to recant, never forgets his promises, nor fails to keep them.

God is not man, that he should lie,
or a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Has he said, and will he not do it?
Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? (NU 23.19)

God has promised to never leave nor forsake us, to make us like Christ, to cause all things to work together for our good, to never cease doing good to us, to hear our prayers, to care for us, to take us to heaven and to wipe away every tear from our eyes and give us an eternal inheritance.  And these are only a few his great and precious promises.

So, hope fuels endurance.  Promises fuel hope.  A faithful all-powerful God stands behind them all.  If you know these things, rejoice – you have a real basis for hope.