Jeremiah was a tragic prophet. The message God gave him to deliver Israel was heartbreaking, terrifying and definitely not what they wanted to hear. Jeremiah predicted the war with Babylon, the ultimate slavery of many Israelites and scattering of others. He was jailed and left for dead in a well after giving news that Israel would be defeated by Babylon and that King Nebuchadnezzer reign would reach to Egypt. I would not have wanted to be Jeremiah, but despite his country crumbling around him, his people making him an outcast Jeremiah writes in Lamentations 3:24 The Lord is my portion and my inheritance,” says my soul; Therefore I have hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.” Jeremiah had hope.
Biblical Hope is powerful. It is not the same as optimism which is having confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something. Optimism is based on circumstances. Biblical Hope is based on faith in God. The Bible Project has a great video about Hope you can view it here. https://youtu.be/4WYNBjJSYvE. In it Tim Mackie describes that there are three different words for Hope used in the Bible. The two talked about in the old testament is Yakhal which means to wait for. Quvah, which means to wait with expectation. In the new testament we get the Greek word Elpis, which is an anticipation of the Living Hope Jesus brings us through his resurrection.
When you have hope in God it’s different than just hoping things will turn out okay. It’s active reliance despite your circumstances. Lets face it our circumstances can and do change in an instant and that unknown drives most of our anxiety and fears. But Biblical hope tells us that despite what’s going on right now God is in control and His promises will come to pass in the end. Our circumstances no longer seem hopeless in the face of God’s goodness. We know the ending, we know God’s promises to us if we love and obey him. Hope in Him is stronger and more powerful than the situation you are in right now. This life is temporary just like the situation you are in. God is permanent and unchanging. It’s like the old hymn. “The Solid Rock” by Edward Mote, 1834
| My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. | |
| On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand. | |
| When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil. | |
| His oath, His covenant, His blood, Support me in the whelming flood; When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. | |
| My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand. When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil. His oath, His covenant, His blood, Support me in the whelming flood; When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found; In Him, my righteousness, alone, Faultless to stand before the throne. |
Biblical Hope is standing on the solid rock of Christ and having assurance of his promises. It’s a weapon of unwavering strength.
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