Our Hope of Glory

Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18)

The word ‘hope’ is thrown about in conversation and doesn’t seem to have much meaning. We might say “I hope you get that job”, or “Hope you have a good day”. We have no idea if these things will happen but there is always ‘hope’.

At times we hold hope inside ourselves looking forward to better times and brighter days. ‘Hope’ used in these ways is optimistic, but also uncertain. We have a great desire but don’t know if it will come to pass.

Life would be depressing without this type of ‘hope’, but it is not the ‘hope’ talked about in Scripture. In fact, in God’s word, ‘hope’ is just the opposite. It is a certain knowledge, a belief or expectation that God’s promises will be kept. ‘Hope’ in the bible means trust and confidence.

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began (Titus 1:1-2)

A Christian’s hope is what the Good News of Jesus Christ is all about. Christ is our hope of glory. Throughout the Scriptures, humanity’s hope was in the redemption promised by God and brought to completion through Christ. They believed with certainty that God would accomplish what He promised.

The Old Testament speaks about people having their hope in God. Their hope was in salvation through a savior that was promised to come. The people who were living under the law of Moses believed in the coming of the Savior. Prophesies told of the Christ and the salvation He would bring. They believed the promises of God. They were not ‘hoping’ the Christ would come, they were waiting in anticipation with confidence.

Today our hope is in Jesus, our hope of glory. God’s plan to redeem us through Christ has come to pass and we have opportunity to accept salvation through Him. Our hope, our certain knowledge is in Him, in the salvation He offers us, and in eternal life in heaven.

This ‘hope’ gives us peace through the struggles in our daily lives. We know that our struggles will end. We know where we will spend eternity. We are waiting in anticipation knowing that what is said in Philippians 1:21 is true for us. To live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Peter 1:3)

Every generation of believers have had this type of ‘hope’, knowing that God was working to bring us back into a right relationship with Him. Before Christ, people’s hope was in God for the coming savior. Today we hope in Christ, who came as promised and died for our sins. It is interesting to see the promises of God unfold from Genesis to Revelation.

It is this ‘hope’, this certain knowledge of salvation that we need to understand and to share. We are not living our lives as Christians and following Christ’s teaching because we ‘hope’ (today’s hope) that what He taught might be true. We are not silly people basing our entire lives on a ‘maybe’. We are confident in God’s word.

Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. (Psalms 119:74)

Understanding biblical ‘hope’ as we read God’s word helps us have confidence in our beliefs. Knowing that the writers defined ‘hope’, not as wishing, but as assurance, strengthens our faith. We cannot be worried or uncertain when our ‘hope’ is in God.

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)

Prayer: Holy Lord, our hope is in you. We know your words are true and we wait expectantly for your promises to be fulfilled. Come Lord Jesus. Come soon, but if we pass away from this life before you come again, we know our hope is not in vain. We will be with you. Fill us with the hope of your glory daily and teach us how to share this hope. Amen.