The Power of Hope

Simeon waited for the "Consolation of Israel" - the One who would be the "light to bring revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel." Consolation means comfort. Is 40:1 says "Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins pardoned." (NLB) The substance of Godly hope is the assurance that sins are pardoned forever. Simeon recognised that with the birth of Jesus Christ also came the consolation or comfort that Israel longed for. The writer of Hebrews says that "we might have strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us"(Heb.6:18)


Christ, "the hope of all glory" receives all who call on His name. The Holy Spirit who is also described as the comforter always affirms the promises of God given the believer. He never casts doubt. His assurances are not built upon what we do. They are built upon what Christ has done. The old covenant was based upon what the believer did. For example, forgiveness of sins was conditional upon making blood offerings that would satisfy the requirements of the law. The new covenant however was based upon the performance of Jesus Christ. His sacrifice is good for all time. Godly hope is based on His performance, not our performance. Hope was secured the moment Father God tore the veil in the temple granting access for the forgiven sinner to enjoy His Presence. Hope says that you can come into His Presence. Hope guarantees that the believer can never be separated from Him. It guarantees that His blood will protect you and cover for you. Godly hope carries blessings that are the believer's heritage based on His covenant with His people. Moreover when times (circumstances) get tough, believers can draw comfort from the promise that Jesus will return for His bride.


Godly hope is activated whenever we display faith in His promises. Abraham, the 'father of faith', believed the incredible promise of God that he would become the father of nations. His circumstances however gave him nothing in the natural to be optimistic about the promise given him by God. He was old and his wife was barren and beyond child bearing age. Yet  "contrary to hope, in hope believed so that he became the father of many nations according to what was spoken..." (Rom.4:18) His hope was in the promise of God, not in his circumstances. The believer, contrary to his condition, can trust in his position. This is the substance of Godly hope. Godly hope will never disappoint.












This blog is based upon a message given by Ross Smith at The Vine church, Springwood, Logan City, Queensland, on Sunday 13th Dec 2015. The full message can be accessed by podcast from www.thevine.org.au/teaching