Jump Start # 715

Hebrews 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,

This week in our Jump Starts we have taken a look at the subject of worry and trouble. It is only fitting that we end the week by saying a few words about hope. Our verse is a great illustration of what Biblical hope is. Two great words are found in this sentence: sure and steadfast. Biblical hope is sure. It is certain. It will be because God said so. That is unlike how we typically use the word hope. We often use the word hope more like a wish. We say, “I hope things get better,” but we are not sure that they will. A student says, “I hope I get an A in this class.” They mean, I wish I get an A.

Biblical hope is based upon God’s promises which are based upon God. God is faithful. He keeps His promises. In that way, hope is sure. It is also steadfast. The example given here is an anchor. You don’t have to know much about boating to know that an anchor is heavy and when dropped in the water, it will keep a boat from floating away. The anchor holds the boat stationary. Hope is our anchor. It keeps us from drifting and it keeps us stationary with God.

The assurance of our hope is the word of God. It is not trying to guess what God’s up to, nor what God might do, rather it is built upon the assurance of His word. The word is clear and precise.

Sometimes we can be guilty of offering uncertain hope to others. A family goes through hard times and someone says, “I just know things will get better.” Do you? You know that? Or, is that your wish and your prayer? “I just know your mama will pull through this health issue…” “I just know you won’t lose your house…” “I just know you’ll pass the course…” “I just know you’ll find a job…” “I just know your marriage will work out.” Hope and wish are not the same.   There are many things that we would like to see come about, but we don’t know that they will.

• God promises forgiveness if we trust Him and obey Him. That is certain.
• God promises a home with Him if we stay with Him. That is certain.
• God promises to never forsake us. That is certain.
• God promises to equip us through His word. That is certain.

Trouble and worry can diminish our trust in God’s promises. The bigger God is to us the smaller our problems seem to be.

Paul was so sure of this hope that he knew there was a crown awaiting him. God had promised. It was certain. There was no crossing his fingers, wishing upon a star or any of those kinds of things. His confidence was in what God had said.

Late in the book of Acts, as Paul is being taken to Rome as a prisoner, a violent storm engulfs their ship. Things looked bad. For days they were hopeless. The cargo was thrown overboard. An angel appeared to Paul to assure him that no one would die. Paul told others of the vision and said, “It will turn out exactly as I have been told.” That’s hope. That’s confidence.  The same concept is with us. We have God’s word. It will turn out exactly as we have been told. We know how the world will end. We have been told. We know what happens after death. We have been told. Wild theories and scary movies can fill hearts with all kinds of ideas, most are not Biblical. We know. We have been told. Hope holds us to what is sure and true.

Without that hope, we would be a scared group of people. With it, we are confident and sure.

This hope we have…

Roger