Real Hope

Text: Hebrews 11:1

Theme: Faith is required for true, biblical hope.

Key verse: “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see” (NLT). “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (NASB). “Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (NIV).

What God said to me: Dwayne, be still. Stop now and listen. Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.  That’s what Paul said in Romans 10:17. What Good News have you heard because of my Son? What do you know that should bring you real, lasting hope? Stop and think about that. Think long and hard. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you. You have heard that Jesus died for your sins and rose again to give you everlasting life. When you believed that truth and embraced it, you were given hope, hope that you now cling to that will carry you through death. Your hope will not be realized until you cross the river of death and experience immortality with me. However, your sincere faith in what you hope for the future makes eternal life a reality for you now. That’s how it is with everything you’ve built your life on. Your values, your choices, your dreams are all built on ideas and things you can’t prove or see. Even now, you’re carrying on a conversation with a Person you have never seen with your eyes or heard speak with your ears. You hope that I am real and that I hear you when you call. You hope I love you and have your best interests in mind. You hope I am the way to eternal life and heaven. The awesome thing about faith is that it makes what you hope for a reality. Faith gives you confidence and assurance that people who don’t have faith could never understand. You have a “hope so” salvation because you have a “know so” salvation. Knowing in your heart that I raised Jesus from the dead brings you a unexplainable hope that will not disappoint.

What I said to God: Hallelujah to the King! I praise You and adore You today, my Lord. Thank You for giving me hope and life and peace. Thank You for helping my unbelief and instilling true child-like faith inside my heart. I can never thank You enough for filling me with such hope! Forgive when I take this hope for granted, as though it is something common or unnecessary or deserved. I deserve hell! Yet, I have been granted access to heaven with You for eternity. How do I know this? By faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave his life for me. What does this knowledge do for me? It fills me with joy unspeakable and full of glory! It fills my life with constant hope. Please allow me to share the hope You have placed inside me with someone who needs to hear about it today.