Hope

Hope

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 15:4, NIV

I once had a part-time job playing violin for services at a funeral home. I sat through many sermons from a variety of religious perspectives. Some messages were downright depressing, but the ones I appreciated contained words of hope. Not hollow, fluffy words, but words that came from God’s Word. The Bible consistently gives us encouragement that lasts.

Based on Romans 15:4, I believe that a large part of our hope comes from the encouragement of God’s Word. Sometimes we read it ourselves, other times we hear God’s Word taught at church or a Bible study, and hopefully our friends encourage us with it from time to time. Not long ago I was feeling in a panic after receiving some bad news, but when I opened my Bible to Psalm 94:19 and read, “When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer,” I was encouraged.

Endurance is the other aspect of hope mentioned in Romans 15:4. God graciously gives us choices, and one of our choices is to endure instead of giving up. Endurance is the act, power, or quality of carrying on despite hardships or difficulties. We can give our children lots of encouragement on their homework, but unless they choose to do it—to endure—they have no hope of doing well. Hope is like that for us too. We receive encouragement from God’s Word, but we must also choose to carry on!

Father,

Thank you for the encouragement we receive from your Word. May we choose to endure with your help and strength. Amen.