My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.
On Christ the Solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
We have all sung or heard the words of this old hymn more times than we can recall, but how many times have we really pondered those time worn words?
Think for a moment about the concept of hope as the world sees it today. For some, hope is conveyed in a desire or a craving. “I really hope I get that job,” or “I hope to get a raise soon.” As the word is used today, there’s a lack of certainty in it. When it comes to the Scriptures, however, we see the exact opposite. The Greek elpis (G1680) addresses a “desire of some good with expectation of obtaining it.” “To expect with desire,” is how the verb elpizō (G1679) is defined. So certainty is the meaning of hope at all times because it conveys a mind-set of total assurance and relaxes in that assurance.
In many people’s minds Greek philosophy is glorified, when the truth of the matter is, depths of despair is what it exhibits. That is what makes it so astounding. In Greek culture, living hope as a basic religious attitude was not known.
Ancient philosophers have said, ‘As long as you live by honoring the gods, hold on to hope!’ “Hope is the definition of ‘an uncertain good”.
Why such depressed outlooks? Because life is hopeless without Christ, (Eph. 2:12). 1 Cor. 15:19 is delightfully noteworthy. Paul says, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” Beyond doubt, our hope (confidence) of resurrection and eternal life are in Christ alone. 1 Thess. 5:8 also speaks of “the hope of salvation,” which proclaims our salvation to be very certain. Without a doubt, men are miserable without it.
Review and Meditation: According to Rom. 15:4, what else brings certainty? Col. 1:27 gives another promise about our hope in Christ, what is it?
See word study on joy.
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.
On Christ the Solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
We have all sung or heard the words of this old hymn more times than we can recall, but how many times have we really pondered those time worn words?
Think for a moment about the concept of hope as the world sees it today. For some, hope is conveyed in a desire or a craving. “I really hope I get that job,” or “I hope to get a raise soon.” As the word is used today, there’s a lack of certainty in it. When it comes to the Scriptures, however, we see the exact opposite. The Greek elpis (G1680) addresses a “desire of some good with expectation of obtaining it.” “To expect with desire,” is how the verb elpizō (G1679) is defined. So certainty is the meaning of hope at all times because it conveys a mind-set of total assurance and relaxes in that assurance.
In many people’s minds Greek philosophy is glorified, when the truth of the matter is, depths of despair is what it exhibits. That is what makes it so astounding. In Greek culture, living hope as a basic religious attitude was not known.
Ancient philosophers have said, ‘As long as you live by honoring the gods, hold on to hope!’ “Hope is the definition of ‘an uncertain good”.
Why such depressed outlooks? Because life is hopeless without Christ, (Eph. 2:12). 1 Cor. 15:19 is delightfully noteworthy. Paul says, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” Beyond doubt, our hope (confidence) of resurrection and eternal life are in Christ alone. 1 Thess. 5:8 also speaks of “the hope of salvation,” which proclaims our salvation to be very certain. Without a doubt, men are miserable without it.
Review and Meditation: According to Rom. 15:4, what else brings certainty? Col. 1:27 gives another promise about our hope in Christ, what is it?
See word study on joy.
Hope - (Greek elpis )
Pronounced - el-pece’
Pronounced - el-pece’
ΑΒΓΔΕΖΗΘΙΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩ
"It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" - Jesus Matt. 4:4
Glorifying the Triune God by creatively declaring the relevancy and practicality of His timeless Word.