Bible Class: Lesson 37

What is hope?

• It is an expectation, anticipation, a desire for a certain thing to happen. Also, it is to look forward with faith, assurance and confidence for something in the future.
• Titus 2:13
  For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ

Jeremiah’s hope was in God

• Jeremiah saw the depressing conditions in Jerusalem. The people were carried into Babylonian captivity. God had promised that the captivity would last for seventy years. Therefore, Jeremiah had hope that the enslaved people would return to their homeland.
• Lamentations 3:19-26
  I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.
• Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
• Jeremiah 25:11-12
  This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years. “But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation, the land of the Babylonians, for their guilt,” declares the LORD, “and will make it desolate forever.

Our hope is in God

• God is called the God of hope. He assures us. We have confidence in him that what he says will come to pass. Also, when everyone fails or all else fail, God will never fail us. The song, “My only hope is you,” expresses that understanding of hoping in God.
• Psalm 130:7
  O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is loving devotion, and with Him is redemption in abundance.
• Romans 15:13
  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Psalm 33:22
  May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.
• 1 Peter 1:21
  Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

What is whispering hope?

• It is the belief that what is said and promised will come through. It is the faith, assurance and conviction that a person has in something or someone. It is the assurance that someone has in something even when that thing is not seen. When that thing happens and is seen, it is no more hope.
• Hebrews 11:1
  Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
• Romans 8:24-25
  For in this hope, we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

What is hopelessness?

• Hopelessness is the state or feeling of having no hope, characterized by despair, pessimism, and a belief that one’s situation cannot improve. Hopelessness can affect persons who are Christians. Since it is a human emotion, we are not immune.

How does hopelessness affect a Christian?

• Hopelessness is a complex state combining emotional despair, negative thinking, fear, stress, anxiety and a perceived lack of control over one’s life or future. It can manifest in general apathy, loss of motivation, or more severe mental health symptoms, and understanding it is crucial for addressing emotional well-being and psychological health.

Hopelessness may cause helplessness

• It is the feeling that a person is unable to act or influence outcome; extends this by including a belief that no one else knows my sorrows or are going through what I am experiencing.

Hopelessness may cause despair

• Despair is an intense sorrow or grief, that may cause a person to give up, be negative, fearful and perceive failure.

Hopelessness may cause pessimism

• It is the expectation that bad things will happen; hopelessness is deeper, involving a sense of futility and lack of motivation to change circumstances.

How can Christians overcome hopelessness?

• Hopelessness is an emotional behaviour. Different things may cause hopelessness in our lives. Each person may react to it in different ways. We can pray, sing and mediate on spiritual things.
• 1 Peter 5:7
  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
• Psalm 1:1-2
  Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.
• Philippians 4:8
  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.
• James 5:13
  Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.

Hope springs eternal

• Alexander Pope said, “Hope springs eternal.” Human nature always to find fresh cause for optimism. It is said when you continue to hope that something will happen, although it seems unlikely, there is the possibility that it will happen.