“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer” (Rom. 12:12 KJV).
You will always have situations in which Satan will try to steal your joy. Your response to that is to rejoice in hope. Hope is confident expectation. Without hope your faith has nothing to feed upon.
The Word says in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for….” Faith gives substance to hope and causes it to become a reality.
Hope is a dream. Have you ever had a pleasant dream? You may have dreamed of walking out of your wheelchair, or living totally pain free. Or perhaps you dream of being totally debt free, or owning your own business. That’s hope, having confident expectation.
You get hope from the Word of God. The Word of God is the only source I know that always gives you hope.
When you turn on the television news, it doesn’t always give you hope. But if that is your only source of information you can end up hopeless. The Word of God, however, always gives you hope. Every time you open your Bible you can find hope for the future.
Some people are concerned about the economy, but when you go to the Word of God, it will give you a better picture. Get out your TV guide and turn to Channel Philippians 4:19, “My God supplies all your need,” not according to the economic conditions of the world, but “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
I don’t know about you, but whenever I talk to the Lord, He never says, “Son, I can’t meet your need today. We’re having double-digit inflation in heaven. So you’re going to have to wait until we balance the heavenly budget.” No. He always says to me, “I can supply your need, and I will if you’ll believe it.”
Then turn to channel Matthew 8:17, “Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” Channel Romans 8:37 says that we are more than conquerors. And channel Philippians 4:13 says we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
When you go to the Word of God, it always produces hope. So whenever you feel like there is no hope, turn to the word of God and it will give you hope.
Scripture References: Matthew 8:17; Romans 8:37; Philippians 4:13
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).