Hope is underrated and under-utilized. Its middle-child billing in 1 Corinthians 13 (faith, hope, and love) seems to makes it easier to ignore since, well, it’s not love, which we’re told, is the greatest of the three. Yet, hope is the driver of faith and the inspiration to persevere, which is something we need to do every day. Hope is our direct pipeline to eternal life, the carrot at the end of our stick of life. With today’s widespread depression and high rates of suicide, not only in teens but also the general population, it seems we could use a dose of hope.
So, let’s teach hope. May these nine reasons to teach hope serve as scrubbers for cleaning out the pipeline between here and heaven.
- It provides physical rest
Psalm 16:9 (NKJV)
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.
Hope ranks with forgiveness as a spiritual element that brings physiological benefit. Peter even reiterated this point in his sermon in Acts 2.
- It justifies our hardships
Acts 23:6 (NIV)
Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.”
And of course, it may cause some hardships. We may often find ourselves standing “on trial” because of our hope in the resurrection. We live in a culture that likes to demean faith in general and the Christian faith in particular. But our hope in the reality of the resurrection will see us through the trials.
- It’s the light at the end of dark tunnels
Romans 5:3-5 (NIV)
3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
In the logical progression of this verse, hope starts with suffering. Hope does its best work in the middle of suffering. When circumstances seem unbearable, let hope take over.
- It is the soil for joy
Romans 12:9-13 (NIV)
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
You know those people you enjoy being around no matter what kind of day they are having? Most likely it’s because you’re seeing the joy that grows out of a well-fertilized soil of hope.
- It is part of God’s DNA
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
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.
God is the author of hope. The more we infuse hope into our spiritual DNA, the more we are going to reflect God and enjoy a more intimate relationship with Him.
- It’s a reason for boldness
2 Corinthians 3:12 (NIV)
12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.
This coincides with reason two. If you find yourself a bit timid in your faith, it might not be a lack of boldness, but actually a lack of hope.
- It is Christ in us
Colossians 1:27 (NIV)
27 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.
This is why we are to have faith in hope. The hope of glory is that Christ is in us. Believe this.
- It’s the motivation for faith
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
The very definition of faith includes hope. And without faith, it is impossible to please God. Therefore, pleasing God starts with hope.
- It gives love something to do
1 Corinthians 13:7 (NIV)
7 [Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love hopes. Say no more.