The word “hope” is all throughout Scripture including words that would have a similar definition. In today’s society, hope is driven by the outcome or wish of a desired outcome. We desire the pleasant situation or the happy ending. In essence, our entire basis of hope is structured around the favorable outcome. While these thoughts may leave us in an optimistic attitude looking towards the future, it is a false sense of hope.
When the outcome is different than the desired wish, it leaves the hopeful person crushed and often in despair of what has or has not taken place.
As a Christian, our hope should not be outcome based.
We are never instructed in Scripture to hope in our answered prayers, to hope in “blessings”, or to hope in ministry growth. When we place our hope in the outcome, we will find ourselves wavering in our hope when the outcome is not what we expected. It can lead to despair, disappointment, or focus on man-centered views.
Hope in the answered prayer will bring disappointment when the answer is not given in the way we deem most favorable for us. Hope in the “blessings” leads to a life seeking prosperity as a sign of God’s favor, and lack of “blessings” as a sign of His punishment. Hope in ministry growth leads to a glorification of our “doing” for God rather than a glorification of God.
This hope is placed in the outcome rather than in the God of all outcomes.
Throughout Scripture we are told that God should be the object of our hope. In I Timothy 1:1, Paul encourages us that Jesus Christ is our hope. Our hope will not be put to shame when it is placed correctly (Romans 5:1-5). The hope of a Christian is in what Christ has done, the character of God, the Holy Spirit within us, and the promise of the “blessed hope” and appearing of our Savior.
Hope does not waver when it is found in the One who is sovereign over all and abounds in grace and mercy towards us. He is ever faithful and a solid foundation for our hope.
Your outcome may not be what humanly you wished for, but if your hope is place in the One who is unchanging, forever faithful, all-knowing, and is working to build his kingdom in and through you, you will not be shaken amidst unfavorable outcomes.
Remember, do not let your hope become outcome based. Place your hope in the sure confidence of who God is and what He has said.
Psalm 33: 20-22
"Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee."
Psalm 42
"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God? Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."
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