Hope Does Not Disappoint

Hope unlike wishing does not disappoint. You see the focus on wishing is really uncertainty. It expresses a desire that is impossible or unlikely to happen. You wish for things to work out but you’re not sure if they will. You’re wishing you don’t have to pay more for a traffic ticket but you’re not certain. You might call it hope, but in reality, it’s really just wishing. Hope, on the other hand expresses a desire that is possible or likely to happen. Can you see the difference? Hope is positive whereas wishing is negative.

Here’s a ‘wishful’ thought. ‘I wish I could improve my English’ or ‘I wish I could sing well’. The person making either statement believes it is not possible right now, therefore, they are wishing. Hope will always express something the person believes is possible. Herein is spiritual hope that will carry us through difficult times.

Follow Paul’s explanation of this hope we have through Jesus in Romans 5:1-2, 5 NIV.  “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… And we boast in the hope of the glory of God… And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Notice how hope ties in with faith and produces peace. Wishing doesn’t provide peace because you’re not sure. Hope working with faith will always bring peace to your heart, and it is from your heart where you believe. Hope in God’s Word, His promises, are the foundation to building hope in our heart. Strengthen your foundation by securing His promises in your heart, believing them, allowing them to mix with faith and experience the hope that does not lead to disappointment.

The NLT of verse 5 make it clear: “this hope will not lead to disappointment.” The takeaway is to make sure you place your hope in the truth and faithfulness of God’s Word, of what Jesus has made available for you. That’s the HOPE that will not disappoint.