“If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” 1 Corinthians 15:19-20

The definition of Hope is: to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.

Our Family began the Advent Season with Hope and discovered:

The prophets of the old testament had “hope” concerning a Savior, whom God would send from Heaven into the world for the reconciliation of all mankind to God through His atoning sacrifice and the forgiveness of sin.
None of the prophets saw Jesus but through divine revelation received the promise of “Hope” of His appearance. The Apostles had “hope” because they saw Him and witnessed His resurrection from the dead. (John 1:29)
(Isaiah 9:6, Micah 5:2, Isaiah 53, Matthew 1:21, Job 19:25)

So in what and in whom do we HOPE?  When Adam and Eve sinned, their fate was sealed, for God had declared if they disobeyed His commandment to not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil they would die. And we know they did die and their days on earth were ended. But God also gave them the promise and hope of a Savior Who would one day come to redeem the world.
(Genesis 3:15)

No one can enter the eternal presence of a Holy God clothed in sin. Therefore, Christ bore our sins on the Cross and received the punishment and judgment for all sinners. After His death on the cross, He did not remain in the grave, but as He had promised, he was raised from the dead. All those who witnessed His resurrection have given us their testimony so we also, who believe, have the hope of our own resurrection and eternal life, just as He said. (John 3:16, 1 John 1: 1-4

What gives us this hope in the midst of adverse circumstances? The Holy Spirit in whom we are sealed is our evidence. Those who have faith in Christ’s death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sin, also have the evidence of Christ abiding in them. If Christ is abiding spiritually in the believer, it is the assurance of the promise of eternal life. (Galatians 2:20)

The opposite of hope is hopelessness. Where there is no solution to our problems we have despair. Hopelessness means there is no means nor a person who can deliver us from our present state. But where there is hope in God and His Promise, No matter the affliction, those who are in Christ Jesus know, ultimately, there is an eternal solution, and it is only found in God’s Son, Jesus Christ.  There is also the promise and the Hope that everything suffered in this life will also ultimately work for the believer’s good. (Romans 1:28)

What is your hope? Is it in yourself, your job, science, another person, or religion? There is only one hope, and one way, and it is only found in the person of Jesus Christ. (John 14:6)

God’s Promise and Our Hope

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13 NIV

The Hope Within Us

“And as believers, we should always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks us the reason for the Hope that is within us.” (1 Peter 3:15)