The Bible is full of hope. Every person within it who pleased God was somebody full of hope. They were not this way because life was easy and care-free. All of them faced impossible odds, crippling troubles, great dangers, and huge challenges. Yet they had hope.

At age 75, Abraham was promised a son. In fact, all of God’s promises of a great nation depended on it. Over two decades went by and Abraham’s hope didn’t waver, and at 100 years old he witnessed the birth of Isaac. Paul later explained, “In hope against hope he believed, in order that he might become a father of many nations” (Rom.4:18). The idea is hope beyond hope. The world would have thought him unreasonable, but Abraham was a man of faith, which gave him hope.

Later in Romans it says, “For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” (Rom.8:24-25) Someone said hope is the air Christians breathe. We were saved with hope in mind, and we live through life’s trials knowing great things exist ahead. It doesn’t matter if we struggle through discouragements and pain, we know marvelous reward is coming. We look forward to it. We CAN look forward to it. It’s built on Jesus who lived, died, and lived again.

People often say, “There’s always hope.” And they’re right. But what they often mean is there’s nothing else left, so we might as well practice a blind sort of hope – maybe relief will come, maybe it won’t. That’s not the kind of hope the Bible expounds. It’s based on a savior who beat all the odds, conquered the impossible, and promises the indescribable.

Right now, the world is suffering, and people are worried. Everything seems to be turned up-side-down. Yet we can have hope. God offers it.

“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.” (Rom.15:13)

What a Saviour! What a book! What a hope!

– Tim Johnson