HOPE – TRUST IN THE PROMISER

Part 2 of 3

HOPE is not a psychological endeavor, but a relational one. BELIEVE in the God of HOPE – His attributes, characteristics, and His words. You can believe in His promise because you TRUST in the PROMISER.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” ~ Romans 15:13

Believing is more than an intellectual assent that something is true or real. The kind of belief that will fill you with JOY and PEACE leading to overflowing HOPE is a belief that TRUSTS. Belief is not complete without the DOING of it. Scripture tells us that the demons believe (and tremble). They know the truth of God. But they have chosen not to trust Him and as such are at enmity with Him. They have no JOY or PEACE. And for that matter, no HOPE.

A person can believe God is true cognitively and never give themself to Him in abandoned trust. Without trust, there is no genuine relationship. Authentic relationship brings JOY and PEACE with overflowing HOPE. Conversely, a religious relationship only brings superficial joy, peace, and false hope.

Nearly 30 years ago I believed in our marriage. I believed in my bride. I made promises and I trusted her promises. We each gave ourselves to the other in full abandonment. We embarked on the journey of life – hand in hand. For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health… we continue together until death parts us. TRUST – putting into practice that which we believe. Our relationship is filled with peace and joy. It comes through trust. There is no such thing as a perfect marriage if performance is the standard. Conflict, mistakes, and adversities – they all are part of any significant relationship. And it is the trials that are the catalyst and opportunity to build trust. Trust does not require perfection. Trust carries on when perfection fails.

Hope changes perspective. This is the same sea cave looking through it from the ocean side.

Trust carries on when perfection fails.

Uniting with God through Jesus parallels this principle. Cling to Him in full abandonment – your life promised to Him. Trust His promise to you. Put your belief into practice – TRUST. JOY and PEACE will FILL and characterize your relationship with God. Through thick and thin your HOPE in the PROMISER will become your anchor.

It is impossible for God to lie. He revealed His will for us in Jesus Christ and ratified it with a promise. He spoke His promise so that we would have powerful supernatural comfort. For me. For you. For all who have run to Jesus for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us! (See Hebrews 6:13-20)

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus…” Hebrews 6:19-20

Grab onto the promise. It’s the anchor of your soul. HOPE. It’s sure, steadfast, and fastened to the God of HOPE. Practice what you believe – TRUST! There is a HOPE that overflows in your life by the power of the Holy Spirit.

TRUST is essential to HOPE because HOPE is the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to connect our experiences to His promises.

3 Part Series: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

“Hope as an Anchor” is October’s featured photo in the 2024 Calendar