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Hope does not disappoint (Romans 5:5a, NASB1995).
As I age, my hope grows; as you age, your hope should grow too. I will not be disappointed when I arrive in glory seeing the object of my hope — Jesus Christ. As Paul writes…
For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience (Romans 8:24-25, ESV).
When we see Jesus, hope will not be needed, but in this life, hope keeps us on a steady course; we don’t deviate or get discouraged by circumstances because we know there’s a time when we will know as we have been known and our dreams will be fulfilled.
Understanding this hope, I agree with Paul’s prayer for all of us…
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope (Romans 15:13).
The Greek word for “hope” is “elpis” and can be defined as the expectation of joy!
Interestingly, the noun “elpis” is never mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I believe it’s because with Jesus’ presence on earth, hope didn’t make sense. But now Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, and we hope to see Him and be in His presence.
For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness (Galatians 5:5).
Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).
Traveling on I-70 west from Baltimore, by the most important city of Springfield, Ohio, through places like St. Louis and Denver, ending in Cove Fort, Utah, where I-70 intersects with I-15. Traveling this interstate, crossing the Great Plains of the interior of the United States (think flat, flat, flat), about 70 miles from Denver, you begin to see a small object on the horizon that grows larger until you clearly see Pikes Peak to the southwest.
With an elevation of 14,115 ft., it’s an impressive sight.
I’ve driven this route several times, and each time, I’ve thought, “I wonder what the early pioneers thought while riding in their Conestoga wagons, crossing the Plains and then seeing this mountainous wall of Pikes Peak and other mountains looming in front of them?”
They probably said to one another, “It’s time to turn around.”
Hope starts small in life, with our entire lives in front of us. Early in life, our hope seems distant and not needed. But as we age, the Pike’s Peak of our end looms, and we think, “What’s next?” Those who know Biblical hope will not be afraid, as God increases our hope, preparing us for our real future and giving us a peace found only in the hope of Jesus.
I can’t imagine approaching the Pike’s Peak of my life without Biblical hope. How frightening and disturbing it is to lack hope. I’ve been with many people when they were dying, having hoped in their own works throughout their lives, crying for Jesus as Savior on their deathbed. And they were fortunate that a deathbed confession is covered by the grace of God.
My hope grows daily. How about yours? I’m excited for a perfect body, to see family and friends, to find my ultimate purpose, and to rejoice in the presence of Jesus.
I will not be disappointed!