GETTING STARTED
What is hope? It’s a rather elusive word to define. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary tells us its modern meaning: “to want something to happen or be true and think that it could happen or be true.” Sounds kind of iffy to me. It reminds me of when young Anakin Skywalker, in Star Wars Episode I, asked his mother if he would ever see her again. He answered his own question: “I hope so. Yes. I guess.” Not too encouraging! The archaic meaning of hope was much more certain than today’s. It meant “to expect with confidence, or to trust.” I like it much better.
- What is the meaning of hope in the Bible?
READ THE WORD: ROMANS 5:1-5 (ESV)
5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
DIGGING DEEPER
- Paul pointed out two things we have, by faith, through the Lord Jesus in verses 1 and 2. What are they?
- We get the privilege of rejoicing in two seemingly opposite things (vss. 2b and 3a). Why would we rejoice in suffering?
- Describe the progressive development of the believer in verses 3-5. How has your development been similar or different?
- How has your faith given you hope? How does hope influence the way you live?
RESPOND TO GOD
I am an old, retired Army guy. I asked myself what it would be like for us to be at war with God. How could we ever expect to win? We’re completely out-gunned. Out-maneuvered. Out-smarted. Out-resourced. It would be a hopeless effort. Then Jesus comes along and offers to mediate peace between the Father and us, signing the treaty in his blood. How glorious! The war is over between us, and we are made friends of God. Where does that leave us? With hope, real hope, for eternity.
- Pray that your life will reflect the hope you have in Christ Jesus.