Hope in God
A
few years ago the psychology department of Duke
University carried on an interesting experiment. They
wanted to see how long rats could swim. In one container
they placed a rat for which there was no possibility of
escape. He swam a few moments and then ducked his head
to drown. In the other container they made the hope of
escape possible for the rat. The rat swam for several
hours before finally drowning. The conclusion of the
experiment was just the opposite of our common
conclusion. We usually say, “As long as there is life,
there is hope.” The Duke experiment concluded, “As
long as there is hope, there is life.”
The
elements of hope
- Something
one does not possess but desires.
- Expectation
of attaining one’s desire.
A
man aboard a cruise ship spied a beautiful woman who
warmly returned his smile. He managed to get himself
seated close enough to her at dinner that evening so he
could speak to her. “I saw you on deck this afternoon,
and couldn’t help noticing your warm smile,” he
said. “Yes, indeed, for I could not help noticing how
much you resemble my third husband,” she replied. His
anticipation took a dip, but he bravely asked, “Oh,
how many times have you been married?” he asked. She
looked down at her plate demurely and said, “Just
Twice.”
The
Foundation of Hope
- The
resurrection of Christ (1 Pet. 1:3-5)
- God
knows His own (2 Tim. 2:19; 2 Pet 3:9).
- God’s
invaluable promises: (1 Tim. 4:10; 1 John 2:25
- God’s
promise of eternal life is conditional (Heb. 5:8-9).
The
Value of Hope
- Saves
us (Rom. 8:24)
- Keeps
one from despair.
- Causes
one to hold on (Rom. 8:25).
- Is
the helmet of salvation (I Thess 5:8)
- Is
the anchor of the soul. (Heb. 6:18-19).
- Brings
joy and rejoicing (Rom. 12:12; Heb 3:6; Rom. 5:1,2).
- Purifies
us (I John 3:1-3).
- Makes
one unashamed (Rom. 5:3-5).
“The
hope of the righteous will be gladness, but the
expectation of the wicked will perish” (Prov.
10:28).
“When
a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish:
and the hope of unjust men perisheth” (Prov.
11:7).
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