Bible Verses About Hope and Setting Our Hope In The Lord
The Power of Hope in the Lord
Hope is one of the most powerful, life-giving emotions we can possess. It gives us a sense of safety and security assuring us that everything will work out. Hope connects to our desire and expectation for something to happen. We can feel hope, and that inner expectation often causes us to search for, pursue after, and even create opportunities for our hope to be fulfilled. Which means, a life filled with hope portrays a full and active life. That’s the power of hope. But what is even more powerful than hope? Hope in the Lord.
Real life often hits hard and threatens to drain our hope. Sometimes we face difficulties and discouragement that threaten our hold on hope. That is why hope needs to be rooted deeply in the Lord, because He doesn’t waver when life’s circumstances shift and change from moment to moment. The Scriptures below show us the security of placing our hope in the Lord.
But You are the same, and Your years have no end. Psalm 102:27
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8
For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. Malachi 3:6
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8
Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8
What Real Life Can Do To Our Hope
Take a moment to picture the person we described above, filled with hope. I see a vibrant, strong woman smiling, walking in the beauty and warmth of sunshine enjoying life. The opposite image comes to mind when I consider the hopeless, I then see a woman confined in darkness and despair. The lack of hope affects us that powerfully because without hope we anticipate no possibility of change in circumstances that desperately need change.
8 Real Life Circumstances that threaten our hope:
1) Weariness - Situations and even people have the ability to wear us out and wear us down. The prophet Isaiah spoke about weariness we all face at some point. Yet, notice the power of hope to renew our strength.
“You were tired out by the length of your road, yet you did not say, ‘It is hopeless.’ you found renewed strength, therefore you did not faint. Isaiah 57:10
2) Health Problems - Sick and broken bodies can easily weigh us down and discourage us. However, Paul gave us encouragement from his own experience with infirmities and how he kept his hope in the Lord.
And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
3) Financial problems
Lack of or loss of money and financial resources have rendered many people hopeless because those situations cause us to believe lies, that we can’t come out of our situation. Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us of the truth that combats those lies.
And you shall remember the Lord Your God, for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth. Deuteronomy 8:18
4) Loneliness
God created us for relationship. We need human interaction, love and acceptance. Relational issues, hurts and heartbreaks sometimes cause us to isolate ourselves producing loneliness which can be painful and instill a message of hopelessness that tells us our situation will never change.
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6
5) Loss and Death
There is no pain like the pain of losing someone you love. It can be a devastating blow to hope, but this is an unavoidable reality in our current existence in this world. Loss happens and death comes. But God promises healing and hope.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3
6) Marriage and Relationship Issues
How many times have I heard someone facing marriage problems say, “He will never change” or “She will never change.” Never is a long time and I have seen a lot of people change when someone in the relationship held on to hope.
But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."
Luke 18:27
7) Spiritual Attacks
The enemy’s attacks don’t always make sense sometimes making it hard to identify the reason we are struggling. But the truth is, at the root of every spiritual attack is a purposed intention to steal, to kill, and to destroy our hope, especially our hope in the Lord.
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39
8) Depression and Anxiety
These two states can often be brought on by any of the above life circumstances. Depression and anxiety come when we wrestle with fear of hopelessness, that danger is imminent, or our life situation will never change. But hope in God takes away the power of these emotional states.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 40:10
The Hopeless
Jeremiah 2:25 and 18:12 show us people giving in to the state of hopelessness. Notice that those declaring hopelessness walk after strangers and follow what is in their own hearts.
“Keep your feet from being unshod And your throat from thirst; But you said,‘It is hopeless! No! For I have loved strangers, And after them I will walk.’ Jeremiah 2:25
“But they will say, ‘It’s hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart. Jeremiah 18:12
How many times as a parent did I warn my children against talking to and going with strangers. Strangers represented people who were not trustworthy. They weren’t a part of our family and trusted circle. Strangers could be dangerous and take you places you don’t want to go. And, as Jeremiah 18:12 points out the issue of following our own ways and heart, I couldn’t help but think of the common message of our world today:
Go your own way.
Do your own thing.
To each his own.
Follow your heart.
Jeremiah is also the one who pointed out the condition of the human heart apart from Christ.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9
Our heart apart from Christ is no safer than with the stranger we don’t know. That is why Proverbs 26:12 says, Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. We combat hopelessness by setting our hope on the only One who is trustworthy and true. Jesus Christ is our only safe place to set our heart, our mind, our ways, and our hope.
Six Benefits Of Setting Our Hope In Jesus:
1. Strength
Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24
2. His Attention
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy.Psalm 33:18
3. His help
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 42:5, 11 and 43:5
4. Mercy and Redemption
O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. Psalm 130:7
5. Happiness
Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God. Psalm 146:5
6. God’s pleasure in us
The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy. Psalm 147:11
Combat hopelessness and set your hope in the Lord dear Sister. His benefits are with the one who sets their hope in Him.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Click here to see every time “hope” is mentioned in the Bible.
