There is a kind of hope that sounds more like wishful thinking. “I hope my favorite baseball team is better next year.” But there is another kind of hope that is deeper and more influential. “I hope my children will grow in faith and wisdom as they mature.” That kind of hope is grounded in the faithfulness of God. Here are some passages about hope.

PRAYER

O God of hope, send your Spirit upon me that I may live in hope because of the assurance of your grace in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Monday – Romans 8:18-30

This is not “Rookie” Paul. He has been around the block a few times, and yet, he is confident of God’s grace. In fact, he believes that God’s activity creates hope for all of creation. What does Paul say about hope in vss 24-25? How does Paul’s faith in vs 28 become a basis of hope? What is your hope in life? On what is your hope grounded?

Tuesday – Romans 5:1-5

Paul sees hope in even the most challenging and difficult times. Why? In chapter 4 he has talked about the example of Abraham and Sarah. Their faith was accounted to them as righteousness – as if they had not sinned. In God’s scheme of things, faith and hope matter! Can you trace the line from afflictions to hope? How do these things lead to hope? Have you experienced that in your life?

Wednesday – Hebrews 6:9-20

The writer urges us to become imitators of those who will inherit the promises. He cites the example of Abraham and Sarah. The waited patiently for so long, but did so in hope. And God fulfilled the promise. In the meantime, they became the Patriarch and Matriarch God dreamed they would become. What Jesus accomplished on the cross is a guarantee that God keeps promises. In whom do you put your hope? How will you live in hope today?

Thursday – Titus 2:11-15

Paul is writing to young Pastor Titus. The point of this hope is the return of Jesus Christ and the completion of God’s redemption of all creation. Paul’s hope in Christ sustained him through all kinds of difficulties and disasters. And because of this conviction, he lived his life in a “sensible, righteous, and godly way.” How does your hope in Christ’s return shape the way you live?

Friday – 1 John 2:28-3:3

What does hope in Christ do for us today? What did it do for believers in the writer’s day? We do not know a lot of details about what that time will look like or what it will mean. But we do believe that living as God’s children forms, reforms, and transforms our lives into a likeness of Jesus. How is God working in and through your life?

Saturday – Lamentations 3:22-24

This Old Testament passage is the basis for that favorite hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” We believe the writer may have been the prophet Jeremiah, or a close friend of his. This writer’s hope is based on the faithfulness of God. No matter the outward circumstances, the writer sees the faithfulness of God. How do you focus on God’s faithfulness towards you? On what do you base your hope?