Holding On to Hope - Part 2: The Foundation of Biblical Hope
Faith and hope are inseparable companions in the believer's life. While hope gives us expectations for the future, faith provides the foundation that makes those expectations possible. In part 2, we will explore how faith creates the bedrock for lasting, biblical hope.
The Power of Possibility
Let's start with two powerful scriptures that set the stage for understanding what's possible with God:
"With God all things are possible." - Matthew 19:26
"All things are possible to him who believes." - Mark 9:23
These verses reveal four critical truths:
All things are possible for God: This isn't just a statement about God's ability; it's a declaration of His unlimited power. There are no boundaries, limitations, or restrictions on what God can do. When we say "all things," we mean exactly that - nothing is beyond His capability, whether it's healing, provision, restoration, or breakthrough.
All things are possible for those who believe in God: This transforms God's unlimited ability into personal possibility for us as believers. Just as a parent's resources become available to their child, God's possibilities become accessible to those who put their trust in Him. This isn't about our ability but our connection to His ability through faith.
Faith is the critical component that makes God's possibilities available to us: Faith acts as the bridge between God's unlimited power and our limited situation. It's not just believing that God can do something; it's believing He will do it for you. Faith transforms theological truth into a personal, tangible transformation.
Through faith, all things that are possible to God become equally possible to us who believe: This is where the rubber meets the road. When we exercise faith, we're not just wishing for God's intervention but participating in His divine ability. What God can do becomes accessible to us through our faith in Him.
Understanding the Faith-Hope Connection
In Hebrews 11:1, we read: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
This scripture shows us that faith provides the tangible substance of what we hope for. It works like this:
Faith is the foundation: Just as a building needs a solid foundation before anything can be built upon it, faith provides the base for our hopes. This foundation is built on God's Word, character, promises, and power.
Hope is what we build on that foundation: Once faith establishes the foundation, hope constructs the vision of what we're expecting. Hope isn't wishful thinking - it's the confident expectation of good based on the foundation of faith.
Faith says, "I have received": This is present-tense confidence. When we pray, faith enables us to believe what we receive at that moment, even before we see any evidence.
Hope says, "I expect to see it manifest." This is future-tense anticipation. Hope maintains our expectations between the time we believe we receive and the time we see the physical manifestation of what we have received.
The Invisible Made Visible
Hebrews 11:3 tells us that "through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."
This reveals a profound truth: everything visible was first invisible. This means:
God's Word contains the promise (invisible): Every manifestation begins with God's Word. Whether written in Scripture or spoken by the Holy Spirit to your heart, the Word is the seed of every miracle.
Faith receives the promise (invisible): When we hear or read God's Word, faith rises in our hearts to receive that promise as truth. This is where we transition from mere mental assent to spiritual reception.
Hope expects the manifestation (invisible to visible): Hope maintains our expectation during the gap between receiving the promise and seeing its fulfillment. This is where many people lose their way, but hope keeps us steady.
Manifestation appears (visible): Finally, what began as an invisible promise becomes a visible reality. The manifestation isn't the beginning - it's the result of a process that started with faith.
Activating Your Faith for Hope
Mark 11:23-24 provides us with the protocol for seeing our hopes realized: "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
Here's how it works:
We pray in faith: This isn't just speaking words; it's praying with confidence in God's willingness and ability to answer. Prayer should be specific, faith-filled, and aligned with God's Word.
We believe we receive at the moment of prayer: This is crucial - the receiving happens when we pray, not when we see the answer. This act of faith is what triggers the process of manifestation.
Hope maintains our expectation until manifestation: Hope keeps us looking forward with confidence, regardless of what we see in the natural. It's the spiritual force that maintains our natural faith stance.
We keep our faith active through our words and actions: Faith without works is dead. Our words should align with our beliefs, and our actions should demonstrate our confidence in God's promise.
Building Your Foundation
To build a strong foundation for hope, focus on these three areas:
1. Know the Word of God
"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." - John 15:7
Action Steps:
Find scriptures that address your needs: Don't just read randomly. Search the Word specifically for promises that relate to your situation. These become your spiritual ammunition.
Meditate on these promises daily: Meditation isn't just reading - it's pondering, speaking, and absorbing God's Word until it becomes more real than your circumstances.
Let the Word shape your expectations: As you meditate on God's promises, your expectations will naturally align with what God says rather than what circumstances show.
2. Know the Power of God
"Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders" - Exodus 15:11
Remember:
Nothing can compare to God's power: No force, circumstance, or situation can match God's ability. His power isn't just greater - it's in an entirely different category.
Nothing can compete with God: There's no competition or contest. When God moves, everything else must yield to His authority.
Nothing can circumvent God's plan for you: No person, problem, or power can prevent God's purpose from being fulfilled in your life when you trust Him.
No one can stop what God has purposed: When God determines to do something, it's as good as done. Our part is to align our faith with His purpose.
3. Know the Love of God for you
"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." - 1 John 4:8
God's love is:
Unconditional (Romans 5:8): His love doesn't depend on your performance, perfection, or position. It's based on His character, not your conduct.
Without boundaries (Romans 8:38-39): Nothing can separate you from God's love. No circumstance, mistake, or situation can put you beyond the reach of His love.
Always active on your behalf (John 3:16): God's love isn't passive - it's always working on our behalf to bring His will to pass in our lives. His love is what motivates His actions toward you.
Practical Application
To strengthen your foundation:
Start each day with God's Word: Make Scripture reading your first priority. Let God's promises be the first thing that fills your mind daily.
Remind yourself of His power through worship: Take time to acknowledge and celebrate God's unlimited ability. Worship shifts your focus from your problems to His power.
Rest in His love through prayer: Prayer isn't just asking - it's communing with a loving Father. Let your prayer time include moments of simply receiving His love.
Speak faith-filled words that align with His promises: Your words matter. Make a conscious effort to speak what God says about your situation rather than what circumstances say.
Act in accordance with what you believe: Let your actions demonstrate your faith. If you believe God has provided, act like it. If you believe He's healed you, walk in that reality.
Moving Forward in Faith
Remember: You can have hope in:
The Word of God that won't return void: Every promise in Scripture has God's power behind it to bring it to pass.
The power of God that can't be comprehended: His ability goes far beyond our understanding or imagination.
The love of God that always causes Him to use His power to fulfill His Word in our lives: His love ensures that His power is always working for our good.
When these three elements - God's Word, His power, and His love - become real to you, your hope will reach new levels. Your foundation will be unshakeable, and your expectations will remain strong regardless of circumstances.
Join us for Part 3 of our series, where we'll explore Hope's Essential Role in the life of every believer.