Definition and Nature:
Hope, in the biblical context, is a confident expectation and desire for something good in the future. It is not merely wishful thinking but is grounded in the promises and faithfulness of God. Hope is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, providing believers with assurance and strength as they navigate life's challenges.

Old Testament Understanding:
In the Old Testament, hope is often associated with waiting and trust in God. The Hebrew word "yachal" conveys a sense of waiting expectantly. For instance, in Psalm 130:5, the psalmist declares, "I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope." This hope is rooted in God's covenantal promises and His past acts of deliverance.

The prophets frequently spoke of hope in the context of Israel's restoration and the coming of the Messiah. Jeremiah 29:11 is a well-known verse where God assures His people, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope."

New Testament Perspective:
In the New Testament, hope takes on a more defined shape with the advent of Jesus Christ. The Greek word "elpis" is used to describe this hope, which is centered on the person and work of Christ. Romans 5:5 states, "And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian hope. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:19-20, "If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." This hope extends beyond this life, promising eternal life and glory with God.

Hope as a Virtue:
Hope is one of the three theological virtues, alongside faith and love, as highlighted in 1 Corinthians 13:13: "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." It is a gift from God that sustains believers, enabling them to endure trials and remain steadfast.

Hope in Daily Life:
For Christians, hope is not passive but active, influencing how they live and interact with the world. It inspires perseverance and courage, as seen in Romans 12:12: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer." Hope also motivates believers to share the gospel, as they are called to "always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15).

Eschatological Hope:
Christian hope is ultimately eschatological, looking forward to the fulfillment of God's kingdom. This includes the return of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the creation of a new heaven and earth. Revelation 21:4 offers a vision of this future hope: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away."

Conclusion:
While hope is a present reality for believers, it is also a future expectation. It is both a sustaining force in the present and a promise of what is to come, deeply rooted in the character and promises of God.

CM Sarah F. Adams. The Strength of Hope.
... The Strength of Hope. 1 The world may change from old to new, From new to old again;
Yet hope and heaven, forever true, Within man's heart remain. ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/274 c m sarah f.htm

A Coffin in Egypt
... New. And, during all that period, Israel was left with a mummy and a hope. ...
heart. Again, that 'coffin in Egypt' was a herald of Hope. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a coffin in egypt.htm

To the Right Hon. Henry Pelham, First Lord Commissioner of the ...
... With dismal doubt, and sable terror, hung; Sick hope's pale lamp its only glimmering
ray: ... No!"the soul disdains. A mark so mean; far nobler hope inflames; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/young/youngs night thoughts/to the right hon henry.htm

Humbly Inscribed to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, one of his ...
... Thus I, long-travell'd in the ways of men,. And dancing, with the rest, the giddy
maze,. Where Disappointment smiles at Hope's career; 10. ... from whence? Vain hope ...
/.../young/youngs night thoughts/humbly inscribed to his grace.htm

Under King John
... Lay him most surely as your heart's foundation and your hope's anchor. He truly
is so firm and living a stone that He crushes all who oppose Him. ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter ix under king john.htm

Hymn at Cock-Crow
... When breezes bright of orient morn With rosy hues the heavens adorn, They cheer
with hope of gladdening light The hearts that spend in toil their might. ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/i hymn at cock-crow.htm

The Two Journeys.
... "Whither, oh! whither?" "Life's short pleasures past,. Hope's funeral knell the
sound on every blast,. Heaven's entrance closed, to ruin hurried fast,. ...
/.../borthwick/hymns from the land of luther/the two journeys.htm

Acts xxv. 23
... "And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our
fathers: unto ... For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily lii acts xxv 23.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xii. 35, "Let Your Loins be ...
... Unto this waiting, and for this hope's sake, have we been made Christians. Is
not our hope not of this world? Let us then not love the world. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lviii on the words.htm

On Infants' Early Deaths.
... on everything alike; the distant is foreseen; the near is not unnoticed; they do
not wait for experience to teach expedience; they see with Hope's insight, or ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on infants early deaths.htm

Hope's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hope's (1 Occurrence). Acts 26:7 Unto which promise our
twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. ...
/h/hope's.htm - 6k

Hopes (24 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 8:24 For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope.
For who hopes for that which he sees? (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/h/hopes.htm - 12k

Assiduously (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Assiduously (1 Occurrence). Acts 26:7 To which promise
our twelve tribes, assiduously serving God day and night, hope to come. ...
/a/assiduously.htm - 6k

Instantly (39 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Acts 26:7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving
God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake ...
/i/instantly.htm - 18k

Hopeth (4 Occurrences)
... Hopeth (4 Occurrences). Romans 8:24 For in hope were we saved: but hope that is
seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth? (ASV). ...
/h/hopeth.htm - 7k

Promise (112 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) That which causes hope, expectation, or assurance; especially, that which
affords expectation of future distinction; as, a youth of great promise. ...
/p/promise.htm - 42k

Sake (241 Occurrences)
... Acts 26:7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day
and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa ...
/s/sake.htm - 36k

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