INTRODUCTION

In a very basic sense, the word hope means desire, yet the true meaning is not nearly as weak as the world presents. The word hope in scripture is associated with the word expectation (Proverbs 10:28The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
See All...; Proverbs 11:7When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
See All...). Hope is not simply some type of wishful thinking; it is something that someone trusts in dearly (Jeremiah 17:7Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
See All...). This type of hope is not something visible to the naked eye of man (Romans 8:24For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
See All...), but it is believed and held firm by faith (Hebrews 11:1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
See All...). All men live their lives based upon hope; however, not all hope is the same. One man’s hope might be that there is no life after death. Another might place his hope solely upon the payment for sin provided by the Lord Jesus Christ.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Our hope is in God and His word (Psalm 71:5For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.
  See All...; Psalm 130:5I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
  See All...). Read these examples of people who had hope: Paul (Acts 24:14-15 [14] But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: [15] And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
  See All...); Abraham (Romans 4:17-20 [17] (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. [18] Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. [19] And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: [20] He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
  See All...); Job (Job 19:25-27 [25] For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: [26] And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: [27] Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
  See All...). What can you learn from their examples?
• (For everyone): In what is your hope placed? What will happen if you are wrong? What will happen if you are right? How does this affect the strength of your hope?
• Look up some Bible verses that contain the word hope. Write out a definition based upon your findings in scripture. How have your findings helped change your perspective on the importance of hope?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to teach you about hope.
• Ask God to help you have the right hope.

HYMN

OUR GOD, OUR HELP

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