Biblical definition of Hope:
Jeremiah 29:11 “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.
Character Study:
Hannah – 1 Samuel 1-2
She was married to Elkanah who had two wives – Hannah and Peninah. She was the mother of Samuel, the prophet of God. After being barren for many years, God answered her prayer for a child. She then gives him back to God as a young boy. 1 Samuel 1:26 and she said to him, “Pardon me, my lord. As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. v27 I prayed for this child and the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him. v28 So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there.
God blessed Hannah with 3 sons and 2 daughters. (1 Samuel 2:21)
Hannah is known as:
Woman of prayer
1 Samuel 1:1-16 We read that even though Hannah was one of two wives, barren, taunted by Peninah, a husband that could not understand her “self-pity” and a high priest that misunderstood her motives, she did not give up hope. She prayed and poured out her heart to God.
Faithfulness and her faith
She was faithful and went to the House of the LORD every year (1:6) and when Eli told her God would answer her prayer she went home and began to eat again and was no longer sad. (1:18)
Devoted mother
1 Samuel 1:21-23 When her husband and the family went on their annual trip to go up to the house of the LORD, Hannah stayed home with Samuel until he had been weaned.
A woman of her word
1 Samuel 1:24-28 We read that once Samuel had been weaned Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh along with a three-year-old-bull for the sacrifice and a basket of flour and some wine. After the sacrifice Hannah presented Samuel to Eli, reminding him that the LORD had granted her request for a child.
Praising God
Samuel 2:1-10 Hannah praises God for His answer to her prayer for a son. She saw God as a Rock, the One in whom we have our hope. She acknowledges Him as the One who knows our thoughts, words and attitude and He is also the Supreme Judge who administers perfect justice.
What the Bible teaches about hope:
Old Testament:
There are many Psalms that speak of hope:
Psalm 39:1-13 When we do not have God, our lives are fleeting and empty. This is when we put our hope in God.
Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred (postponed/delayed) makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. (Italics in brackets mine)
Isaiah 40:12-31 Here we read that God is almighty and all-powerful. Nothing stops Him from caring for us personally. Verses 29-31 say that He gives strength to the weary and weak. We have the assurance that when our hope is in the LORD, our strength will be renewed; we will soar on wings like eagles; run and not grow weary; walk and not be faint.
Jeremiah 17:5-10 contrasts two kinds of people:
1. Those who put their trust in mere men – they are like stunted shrubs in the desert.
2. Those who trust in the LORD – they are like trees planted along a riverbank. v7 But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.
In Lamentations Jeremiah laments as he watches the suffering of God’s people and the devastation of Jerusalem and the Temple. Jeremiah does not question God’s justice in sending suffering; instead he celebrates God’s faithfulness and unfailing love.
Lamentations 3:19-33 is about hope in the midst of affliction. When troubles come we still have hope; we are not consumed, because of the LORD’S love for us; His compassion never fails – it is new every morning; His faithfulness is great and for this reason we can wait for the LORD to deliver us.
New Testament:
Romans 4:13-25 As Christians we know that the promise God gave Abraham was that he would be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:2-4).We also know that the entire world would be blessed through him. (Genesis 12:3)
This promise was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1: 24-29 Paul is telling the people of Colossae that he is suffering for them; he has become a servant by the commission God gave him to present the word of God in its fullness – not only for the Jews but also for the Gentiles
Titus 2:11-15 In this book Paul is giving Titus instructions about “What Must Be Taught to Various Groups.” Because of God’s grace, salvation is for all people. We are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We are to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.
Hebrews 10:19-25 This passage is a call to persevere. When Jesus died for our sins on the cross, He opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. We can go into the presence of God with sincere hearts, trusting Him
1 Peter 1:3-12 The Hope of Eternal Life. In this passage Peter’s words offer us hope in times of trouble. He bases this on what God has done for us in Christ Jesus. We do not just put our hope in the future, but our eternal life begins when we trust Christ Jesus and in doing so we join God’s family.
Application:
All of us experience days when we feel discouraged. What can we do when we feel lonely or depressed? We can meditate on God’s kindness and love.
It says in: Psalm 42:5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God.
We can learn from Abraham. After God had made an oath in His own name that He would multiply Abraham’s descendants beyond number, Abraham waited patiently and he received what God had promised. When God gives a promise, we can be sure that He will never change His mind.
As Christians we know that hope produces joy and peace in us through the Holy Spirit. Along with faith and love, hope is an enduring virtue of the Christian life. 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Conclusion:
Romans 15:13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Responding in Prayer.
Read Psalm 130:1-8 – Putting our hope in the Lord.
We can praise God for the assurance we have of His forgiveness. When we cry out to God for help, He will hear us. All we need to do is confess our sins to Him. We can count on the Lord and put our hope in His word, because “with the Lord there is unfailing love.” His redemption overflows. As we yield to the Lord, we are able to cast all our anxieties on Him, because He cares for us.
A prayer of hope:
“Lord, help me to hear You saying, “I am your hope” over all the other voices. I’m running to You with both hands stretched out and grabbing on to You. Fill me up with hope and give me a tangible reminder today that hope is an unbreakable spiritual lifeline. In Jesus Name, Amen.”(Anonymous)
(All Scriptures are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise stipulated)
Journal – Scripture/Prayers/Thoughts: