hatchcreek.com Bible blog

Are you tired of the way things are going in your life? Do you have problems in your relationships? Do you feel like you are under the heap instead of on top of it?

I’ve been corresponding with people on the internet for several years now, and if there is one thing I try to leave my readers with it is HOPE. When things get really bad and everything seems out of control sometimes a little thread of hope is all we have to hang onto. But, it is this thread of hope that keeps us going.

So, what is hope anyway? The dictionary says hope is: “belief that something good may happen.“ Yes, we need to have hope, but it needs to be more sure than just a belief. It needs to be something that we can depend on. That’s the kind of hope I want.

I’ve discovered there are two kinds of hope. There is the kind we find in our natural world, which is false hope, and the kind that God gives us which is true hope.

Here are some examples of the worldly kind of hope:

“I guess I’ll buy a lottery ticket and maybe I’ll win and become a millionaire. Then all my troubles will be over.” Lots of people buy into this false hope. Yes, it is possible to win, but not probable. The odds are against us.

“I hope to get that great job.” “I hope to make lots of money and retire early.” “I sure hope the weather is good tomorrow.” “I hope my husband gets that raise.” “I wish things would get better around here.” “I wish I could be a model.” “I hope Danny Boy wins in the 7^th race, I’ve put my savings on him.” “I hope I can quit smoking.” None of these hopes or wishes have any guarantees with them. They may or may not come true. They are like a shot in the dark.

Have you ever had someone break a promise to you? We all have and it’s no fun. This happens to children a lot. Maybe a child has been promised a trip to the zoo next weekend, but dad unexpectedly has to work and the family can’t go. That child is heartbroken and feels like a his folks have broken their word to him. It wasn’t intentional on their part, but to the child it seemed like it was. Other times the adults in a family are so self-centered that they really don’t care if they make and break promises to anyone. What about all the broken promises given in wedding vows?

When I was growing up I was disappointed by adults many times. They didn’t live up to my expectations. Every time it hurt me and I evidentially got so I didn’t trust anyone. Has that happened to you?

Later in life I found out there was someone I could trust and that was God. He has given me another kind of hope for today and also or the future. I know he does not lie and He does not break His Word. That gives me a lot of confidence.

My definition of Christian hope: “Hope is the essence of God’s promises.” God has given us many precious promises in His Word. These promises are to help us live our lives full of hope. He never breaks His Word, as He cannot lie. So, if you want hope that is guaranteed then go to the Bible and you will find hundreds of promises just waiting for you to mine them.

(2 Peter 1:4 NASB) For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

God wants us to look to Him for hope.

(Jeremiah 29:11 NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”