Dante passes through the gate of Hell, which bears an inscription ending with the famous phrase “Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch’intrate“, most frequently translated as “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.”
Somewhere between where I am today and Dante’s description, I need to find more hope. God is good and in a good mood. Justice, while lacking here some days, will be done. Beyond faith, I need hope.
It is right for me to hope. Hope is the total grounding of my confidence and expectation in God’s goodness and providential care even in the face of trouble.
The mere sound of the name of Jesus causes me to remember to hope. I need to focus, with confidence, that what Jesus has promised will happen. Jesus is faithful. Justice will triumph!
Before you know it, his justice will triumph;
the mere sound of his name will signal hope, even
among far-off unbelievers. | Matthew 12:21
Hope in God is commanded
I am challenged to not only hope but to be persistent in my hope. I cannot waiver. Jesus is faithful. Justice will be done.
Hebrews 10:23 (NASB) — Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
Psalm 131:3 (NASB) — O Israel, hope in the Lord From this time forth and forever.
Romans 12:12 (NASB) — Rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer.
It is clear I can hope and place my faith in the wrong things. The worst is to hope in my wealth. Hope is on genuine if I place my hope in Jesus.
1 Timothy 6:17 (NASB) — Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
Hope takes courage and strength. If I lose hope, I am weak. The Spirit of God gives me the strength minute by minute.
Psalm 31:24 (NASB) — Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.
Psalm 130:7 (NASB) — O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is loving kindness, and with Him is abundant redemption.
Jesus Quotes and God Thoughts 