Biblical Hope, a Firm Certainty

BIBLE MEDITATION: “For Thou art my hope, O Lord God: Thou art my trust from my youth.” Ps.71:5 DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: What does the word “hope” mean in the Bible?  It doesn’t mean “maybe.” We may use it that way in modern English, but that’s not what the word “hope” means when used in Scripture.  “Hope” means certainty, but not just any certainty. When the Bible says “hope,” it means a rock-ribbed assurance with anticipation, based on the Word of God. When I was a little boy, my dad would take us out for a ride on Sunday afternoon. We kids would be in the back seat, getting into squabbles. If things got too heated, my dad would turn around and say, “When you boys get home, I’m going to whip you.” With my dad, I knew this was a rock-ribbed truth! We could anticipate it, but not with gladness! Our hope, however, our rock-ribbed assurance, comes with glad anticipation! ACTION POINT: Share the hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ with someone today. Maybe there’s someone at the hospital who needs a word of hope. Maybe it’s a member of your family! LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers