“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Romans 8:24,25
If you plant a seed into the soil, that action by itself shows something. It shows hope. Because when you plant in the ground you obviously are trying to have a plant grow and produce a fruit of some kind. It might be just a simple tiny seed in your hand, but eventually, someday, hopefully that seed will turn into something far more. From the moment that you plant a seed, you wait with hope.
What is hope? Hope is “the belief or expectation that something wished for can or will happen.” It also means “to place confidence” or to be optimistic.
Another example: When someone begins working at a new job, why are they doing it? Usually to receive a paycheck. Usually most employers do not give out paychecks until after the work is done. They tell their employees that after two weeks, every other Friday, that they will receive their check. And that is what drives and motivates a person to work those two weeks. Their faith and hope that they will receive what was promised to them.
Paul was writing to the Philippians, and in one of the chapters, Paul wrote that he hoped to send Timotheus to the church sometime soon, and that he himself hoped to come to them as well. Both he and Timotheus were not with the church at that moment, but he was confident and optimistic that they would be there sometime soon.
“Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.” Philippians 2:23,24
We have a promise from Jesus that He is preparing a brand new place for us after we leave this Earth behind. We cannot see it yet, but we hope and believe that we will be there someday, and we patiently wait for that day.
“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:2,3
When someone goes on an airplane to a different country, they acquire a plane ticket that ensures they get a seat on that plane. The ticket itself is just a piece of paper, but when they have it, they have the hope and knowledge that they will arrive at their destination. Until that day, they wait patiently.
“But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Romans 8:25
Jesus will return for His believers. He will keep His promise. Until then, we faithfully wait in hope for that great day.
In Christ,
Andrew