The world implies hope to mean that something will automatically or magically happen without effort. Biblical hope is more than just wishful thinking or being optimistic. An idea or good thought can’t guarantee an outcome. They might help a mental attitude, but they don’t guarantee anything. Evil thoughts are often referred to in the Bible as imaginations. Good thoughts are called hope.
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. (NIV)
hope = expectation, trust, confidence, to anticipate, to welcome.
Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (KJV)
Hebrews 11:1: 12:31:10 Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. (AMP)
Romans 8:22-25: We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently. (Berean)
Hebrews 6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, (NIV)
Without an anchor, you will drift around not knowing what will happen next.
Ephesians 4:14 That henceforth we be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the wickedness of men, by cunning craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive. (NKJ) doctrine = teaching as it applies to lifestyle, ideology, narrative
Psalm 130:5: I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his Word I put my hope. (NKJ)
You never wait for something you don’t expect.
Romans 5:5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (NLT)
Disappointment comes by losing hope or trust and allowing doubt and unbelief to come into our thoughts. How do you see yourself?
Ephesians 1:17-23: That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And has put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all. (NKJ)
Romans 8:37: No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (NKJ)
You can endure anything if you can see victory ahead. But, if all you see is failure, then you will lose hope and give up.
Romans 8:11: But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also bring to life your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you. (NKJ)
2 Corinthians 10:3-5: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (NKJ)
Imagination = to reckon; thoughts, to reach a personal opinion, to see with the mind.
You can never exhaust God’s plans for you. You can only limit them by your small thinking. It all begins with His Word. According to His Word, you already are an overcomer! So, get your eyes off of the problem, on to His Word, get up and start overcoming.
1 John 5:4: For whatever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. (NKJ)
Faith is believing in what you cannot see with your eyes but can see in your thoughts and imaginations according to His Word. Mary, the mother of Jesus said, “be it done unto me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
Hope is an integral part of how faith really works! What do you think when you use the word hope?