Sometimes, at the darkest of times, hope was the only thing that pulled you through.”
–James Leonard (The Sun Never Sets)
“But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love… We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.”
–Psalm 33:18,20 (NIV)
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“The hope of the righteous will be gladness, But the expectation of the wicked will perish.” –Proverbs 10:28 (NKJV)
“The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.” –Proverbs 10:28 (NIV)
“Hope for the future is the fuel that drives every man and woman on earth. Hope drives us on and spurs us to work hard, to go to school, to save, and to make plans for a better tomorrow. Hope that sees only darkness and destitution ahead is no hope at all.” (Beasley) Woe to that individual who has lost hope. Woe to that person who has false hope; the person who has put their hope in idols whether it be materialism, humanism with its hedonistic pursuits, or false religions. Woe to that person who dies without finding and accepting the hope that comes from faith in Christ Jesus. Bob Beasley tells us, “True hope has at its basis a solid foundation, and it is at this point that the hope of the wicked and the hope of the righteous part company.”
We, as believers in Jesus Christ, have a sure, solid foundation. We have a living hope and a solid faith based on the Word of God. The hope of the wicked is based on nothing eternal. It might be put this way, their hope is based on wishes. “He hopes for good things in this life, while all around him he smells the aroma of death.” (Beasley) After death, there is no hope.
I like what J.L. Flores says, “Hope is a fortune in itself.” There is great wealth in true hope: gladness (joy), peace, calmness, and assurance. These are ours because of our hope in Christ. The psalmist writes words of encouragement to those who falter, whose hope has dwindled. “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (42:5, NIV) Paul writes, “For in this hope we were saved…”. (Romans 8:24, NIV) The hope of our salvation is a sure thing. Then the writer of Hebrews reminds us, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure…”. (6:19, NIV)
What hope do the wicked have? Perdition will be their lot in eternity. What expectation do they have except to join with the clods of the earth on death? Their false hope that all ways lead to God will come to naught as it is but a delusion. John Bunyan wrote, “All the hopes of the wicked shall not bring him to heaven…” Any hope they may hold are false. True hope is in Jesus Christ and the Word of God.
One word of warning in closing. We are instructed by Paul, “To live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the BLESSED HOPE–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:12-13, caps mine) There is currently an attack on the great hope that is ours (the Rapture), do not let it damper your hope. Do not let it turn you from the truth and the hope that is yours. Jesus is coming! Take hope in that great fact and truth!