Hope

Hope was promient in the Old Testament as it is in the New Testament, however there is a difference between these two periods. The Old Testament was a time of promise and prohecy. "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets" (Hebrews 1: 1). Meaning that God did not declose his full plan to any one person, or all at one time, he did it over a long period of time, in many different ways, and disclose only bits and pieces at a time.


That is why Jesus said; "For verily I say unto you, that many prophets, and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them" (Matthew 13:17). Also the writer of Hebrews said; "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13).

For some time in the history of the Old Tesament the saints did not have any idea of the resurrection. That is why there were statements like: "In death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?" (Psalms 6: 5), "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest".(Ecclesiastes 9: 10).

Also the Sadducees a group of the Jewish religion leadership said "there is no resurrection" (Matthew 22: 23). In the New Testament the mystery has been revealed, or fulfilled, for it is a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. (Hebrews 8:6). "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God" ( Hebrews 7: 19).

Hope is one of the three abiding graces, but it remains less studied than the other abiding graces, inspite of its abiding quality and the impact hope has on our spiritual growth. For 1 Corinthians 13: 13 is not the only place in the scripture that the three abiding graces are presented together. In 1 Thessalonians 1: 3 "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father". Galatians 5: 5-6 "For we, through the Spirit, wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. " Leading to the conclusion that hope along with the other abiding graces, is important to process in our new life in Christ, and it is for this very reason I have selected hope as our next study.

Here is a series of question concerning hope for your homework assignment

1) What are some of the sure seals of our hope?

2) What are true objects of hope?

3) What are false objects of hope?

4) What does hope produce in our live?

5) What are the two gifts that God has given to every believer that causes them to hope and will make them become strong in hope?