Between the Lines

Romans 15:13 We have a God of Hope who fills us with joy and peace in believing!

• We marked this verse in the lesson on Peace.

What do you hope for? 

                   “I hope it rains”, “I hope I get the job promotion”, “I hope my children behave today.”

Webster defines this kind of hope as “a desire for a certain thing to happen.”

This is not Biblical hope.  Biblical hope can be defined as “confident expectation of eternal salvation.”  There is no uncertainty with this kind of hope.

What hope are we talking about now?

            Hope of Salvation                                                         

            Hope of Heaven

             Hope of newness of life

What is Hope?

Ordinarily, when we say we hope for something, we are expressing uncertainty.  Biblical hope expects it to happen, is confident it will happen.

Romans 8:24-25

• Circle the question mark.  Notice the question.
• Circle “if.”
• Hi-lite “saved in this hope”, “hope for what we do not see,” and “eagerly wait for it with perseverance.”
• Put a box around “this hope” and draw an arrow to verse 23 “the redemption of our body.”  Always ask questions of the scriptures.  When he writes “this hope” ask, “what hope?” and search for the answer.
• Underline “with perseverance.”

Colossians 1:5

• Circle “because” and draw an arrow to verse 3 “we give thanks.”
• Hi-lite “hope which is laid up for you in heaven.”
• Put a box around “you heard.”
• Underline “in the word of the truth of the gospel,”

Hebrews 6:17-20

The King James version and New King James both use the word immutability.  Webster’s defines this word as “not capable of or susceptible to change.”

• Hi-lite “who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.”  “anchor of the soul”, “sure and steadfast” and “which enters the Presence behind the veil.”
• Put a box around “heirs of promise” and write above it “Us!”
• Circle “two immutable things” and draw arrows to “immutability of His counsel” and “confirmed by an oath.”  By God’s will (counsel) and His oath, the promise that we base our hope on is sure.

Here is an interesting comment from Vincent’s Word Studies, ESword to help in our understanding of this verse 19.

That within the veil is the unseen, eternal reality of the heavenly world. Two figures are combined: (a) the world a sea; the soul a ship; the hidden bottom of the deep the hidden reality of the heavenly world. (b) The present life the forecourt of the temple; the future blessedness the Holy of Holies (Ark of the Covenant) within the veil. The soul, as a tempest-tossed ship, is held by the anchor: the soul in the outer court of the temple is fastened by faith to the blessed reality within the Holy of Holies.           

What is an anchor?  What do we use an anchor for?  What happens without an anchor?

Hebrews 2:1

• Circle “Therefore” and write “see chapter 1:1-2.”
• Hi-lite “lest we drift away.”  (This is why we need an anchor)
• Put a box around “we must.”
• Underline “give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard.”

Hebrews 6:11-12

• Hi-lite “show the same diligence” and “do not become sluggish.”
• Hi-lite in another color “the full assurance of hope” and “through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
• Underline “diligence”, “faith” and “patience.”

Ephesians 4:4-6 One Hope – that spiritual call of Heaven!

• Circle all occasions of the word “one.”
• Hi-lite “body”, “Spirit”, “hope”, “Lord”, “faith”, “baptism”, “God and Father.”
• Underline “above all”, “through all” and “in you all.”

Where does Hope come from?

Our hope is not a blind hope.  We base that hope on our faith which is based on evidence given to us by God.  God has never asked us to believe something that He did not give us evidence for.

Hebrews 11:1

• Circle “faith.”
• Hi-lite “substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
• Circle the words “substance” and “evidence.”

Substance in the Greek here means “setting under”, a support, substructure or foundation.

Faith is the foundation of our hope!  We can have hope through the Old Testament scriptures (Romans 15:4 – we marked this verse in the study of Relationship).

What produces Hope?

Romans 5:3-4 (previously marked) The things that produce hope:  tribulation, perseverance, character then hope!

Romans 5:5-6 – Hope does not disappoint.

• Hi-lite “hope does not disappoint”, “the love of God has been poured out”, “Christ dies for the ungodly.”
• Underline “in our hearts”, “by the Holy Spirit” and “who was given to us” and “when we were still without strength.”
• Circle “because” (a reason word).
• Circle “for” (another reason word).

Hebrews 3:6 -Confidence!

Christ is the Son yet He is head of His own house, us…”if”!

• Circle “if.”
• Hi-lite “we hold fast”, “confidence”, “rejoicing of hope.”
• Underline “His own house, whose house we are.”
• Put a box around “firm to the end.”

Hebrews 7:18-19 Hope draws us near to God.

• Underline “on the one hand” and “on the other hand” (a contrast).
• Circle “because.”
• Hi-lite “annulling of the former commandment”, “weakness”, “unprofitableness” and “made nothing perfect.”
• Hi-lite in another color “a better hope, through which we draw near to God.”

We will continue our study of Hope on Day 19.