Everlasting Hope : Pastor Tony Samuels

One of the most amazing benefits of being a Christian is that we are a people who always have hope. The definition of hope is: the feeling that what is wanted can be had, that an event will turn out for the best. Hope is something we need to get us through difficult times, times of trials, and times of wanting desires fulfilled. Hope is what the Lord has given us to ensure that we experience His glorious outcome. 

Romans 5:1-2 explains it: Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. This Scripture is amazing! Faith brings us to grace, and our hope keeps us in His grace while we wait for the manifestation of His Glory. What is the Glory of God? It is the goodness of God! Hope brings us to an encounter with the Glory of Almighty God!  

The Lord wants every situation we face in this life to end with an encounter with His Glory. This is a game changer! Now I understand why the Bible says to count it all joy when we fall into all kinds of adverse situations, knowing that if we walk it out and don’t lose hope, we will be perfect and entire at the end, wanting nothing. 

Now let’s take a look at a more biblical definition of the word hope: it means to wait for salvation with joy and full confidence; to expect. Our hope is just not a floating hope; it is a directed hope, because our hope is in God. Psalms 62:1 says: For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. This person was waiting and hoping in God alone; he was expecting God’s salvation, His goodness to show up. Psalms 71:5 says: For you are my only hope, Lord! I’ve hung on to you, trusting in you all my life. He said that God was his only hope. This is not a bad thing; this is a good thing, because God will never let us down. He will fulfill our hopes and dreams.  

Proverbs 23:18 says: Surely there is a future and a reward, and your hope and expectation will not be cut off. True Bible-based hope can never be cut off by what’s going on in the world, because the world didn’t give it to us. It comes from God alone, and it keeps us connected to His salvation.  

So this day and every day, keep your joy. We are not a people without hope. We have a Father who will never leave us nor forsake us. No matter what happens in this world, we put our hope in God Almighty. Romans 15:13 says: Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in Him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope! God wants us to be overflowing with hope… hope for us, and hope to dispense to the world around us. So, my brothers and sisters, let’s get joyful; let’s get happy, because we have a hope that won’t disappoint! 

Beloved, Be Blessed!

October 25, 2020