“And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You” (Psalm 39:7).

What are you waiting for?
And how can you be sure that what you’re waiting for is going to come?

Biblical hope means complete confidence in God and His Word!

It’s a confidence, born of faith in God founded in His Word!
Faith, hope and love go together (1 Cor 13:13). When we have faith in God, we claim His promises, and they give us hope for the future.

Hope for the Christian is not a feeling of “I hope it’s going to happen.” It’s an exciting expectancy because God controls the future. When Jesus Christ is your Savior and your Lord, the future is your friend. You don’t have to worry.

Why is this hope so important?
When we lose hope, we lose joy in the present because we have no confidence for the future. We live on hope; it springs eternal in the human breast. But it’s more than a feeling down inside; it’s a confidence that God is in control, and we have nothing to fear.

What is the basis for our hope?
It is the character of God. We’ve been born again unto a living hope (1 Pet 1:3).

It’s not a dead hope that rots and falls apart but a living hope whose roots go deeper and whose fruits grow more wonderful. You can have encouragement and excitement today if you will remember that you have a living hope.

Make a mental list of His provision on your behalf during the past year–answered prayers, met needs and other blessings. God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises in the past gives you confident hope for the future.

(PA)