SUPERNATURAL VIRTUE

What is the item some people never had? While others had it, but gave up on the value of it. Or, those who lost it? While others held on to it no matter what? Is it a rare coin? Money? Love? My answer in this scenario is hope.

What is hope? In the spiritual arena, it is the trustful expectation in God’s promise. This is the definition I hold fast in my life, because I am trusting in God. God is reliable, He does not lie or change His mind.

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Numbers 23:19 (KJV)

In the everyday definition, hope is wanting something to happen; or to think it could happen. To desire with expectation of obtainment. This definition can lead you to put a trustful expectation onto yourself, others, the government or the world. These arenas are shaking, changeable, and not always reliable.

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. Psalm 118:8-9 (KJV)

Now, I will address the examples of the hopeless and hopeful people.

The hopeless are the people who never had hope. Hope is something that is taught, seen, experienced or a commitment to seek after. With the hopeless, their parents, guardians or family members never believed in hope and taught them is no such thing as hope. Or, expressed the concept that being hopeful is a waste of time. This way of thinking may have stemmed from poverty, afflictions, abuse, drugs or any other issue that clouded the mind to see God’s promises.  For them, there are so many trials, tribulations, and troubles, it is difficult to see there is a glimmer of hope shining down the dark tunnel of life. There is no hope in God, oftentimes there is not any hope in themselves or anything. They have seen the doom and gloom and expect doom and gloom.

And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God. Psalm 78:8 (KJV)

Another form of the hopeless are the ones who lost hope or lost the value of hope. They hoped for something for a while, it did not come to pass immediately or in the time frame they thought it should come, they gave up. Sometimes hope is delayed. It can be to test our trust in God; to build our character; to realize everything will not always work according to our timetable. Impatience is the problem today. If something does not materialize immediately or waiting is involved, people give up on God, thinking He did not hear them, He is mad at them or He refuses to help them.

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: Romans 5:2-4 (KJV)

If they had only waited and believed; their life would have been so fulfilled.

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12 (KJV)

The hopeful are the ones who never give up on hope. They hold fast onto hope, because they believe in God’s promise. They have seen God’s promises manifest in the past and know they will manifest in the future. They are incarcerated in the hope of God.

Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee; Zechariah 9:12 (KJV)

The hopeful ones teach their children hope.

That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children.

That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments. Psalm 78:6-7 (KJV)

Also, the hopeful instructs on the benefits in the hope of God’s blessings.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11 (KJV)

Let all of us hope in God’s promises, teach our children the promises of hope and be the example to the hopeless.

We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. Psalm 78:4 (KJV)