When You Want to Thank God for the Gift of Hope
I’ve spent a lot of time this week thinking about hope.
You see, I’d never really stopped to think about the differences between the way secularists and people of faith perceive hope.
For the secularist, hope is based solely on the strength of their inner desires and the belief that they will achieve or receive the things they want.
But for the person of faith, hope is based on the promises of God and given as a gift of grace through faith.
The Apostle Paul wrote…
We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)
Romans 8:24–25
I love that!
It means you and I don’t have to suck it up and generate hope on our own when life is hard and we’re overwhelmed. We can go to God in prayer and ask Him to give us the hope we need.
Paul also wrote…
God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.
Hebrews 6:17–18
That place where our prayers reach God’s heart … where you and I can run for comfort, strength, and hope when life is hard.
And the Father who loves us is faithful to give us exactly what we need.
When I watch the news and see people floundering to find secular answers to change a broken world, trying countless worldly ways wishing one of them will bring the peace and satisfaction they “hope” for.
But nothing does.
Because the hope that is able to change lives is given by God and I don’t know about you, but for me, when life is hard or when I’ve prayed and prayed and waited and waited … I’m thankful for God’s gift of hope.
Will join me today and thank God for His grace in giving us the gift of hope?
Verses to Pray When You Want to Thank God for the Gift of Hope
I find rest in God;
Psalm 62:5–6
only He gives me hope.
He is my rock and my salvation.
He is my defender;
I will not be defeated.
Father, Thank you for the countless times I’ve been able to come to You with my doubts and fears. Thank you for hearing the cries of my heart, even when I can’t put them into words.
Lord, I can say with David, “I will not be defeated” not because of who I am but because of You, my Defender. You give me hope, my Rock and my Salvation. You are loving and gracious and good. Thank you for Your blessings too numerous to count.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.
1 Peter 1:3–4a (NIV)
Father, Thank you for giving Peter, a fearful denier, everything he needed to boldly and powerfully profess the message of Jesus after the resurrection. Thank you for giving me new life through Jesus’ sacrificial love and thank you for filling this new life with hope. I love that Your promises never change, never perish, spoil or fade.
Of all the things this world has to offer … I know I can completely trust Your perfect love and that truth gives me hope.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.
Romans 5:3–5
Father, I’ll admit that I don’t feel like rejoicing when problems and trials arise. I typically find myself whiney and worried. But by Your grace, when I think of all the times You have given me everything I needed to walk through life’s challenges … I have hope that You will never leave me or forsake me no matter what I have to face.
The hope You give never disappoints … not because I always get the outcome I want but because You always give me what I need each day to live through whatever You allow. Sometimes You allow things that teach me I can endure with strength when I put my hope in You.
Thank you, Father, for the gift of Your Holy Spirit who reminds me of Your love and fills me with hope.
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called—His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance.
Ephesians 1:18
Confident hope is a gift only You can give Lord. Our world offers us wishes to go with our wants but when those desires fail to happen … wishing falls apart. But hope that shines with the light of Your perfect love lasts forever.
The hope You give is focused on You, Lord, the God of the impossible. The loving Father who has made me His own. Thank you for Jesus, for faith, hope, and love. By Your grace and for Your glory.
‘I see that the Lord is always with me.
Acts 2:25–26
I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.
No wonder my heart is glad,
and my tongue shouts His praises!
My body rests in hope.
Thank you for always being with me, Lord. Your presence gives me strength and courage.
No wonder my heart is glad!
I will forever praise You as I place my life safely in the palm of Your hand … for there is no better place on earth to rest in hope.
Thanks and praise now and forever. Amen.
If you need the gift of hope today…
- Pray and ask God to give it to you.
- Remember the times He has given you hope in the past.
- Thank Him for being the God of possibilities … including the ability to give you hope when you need it.
- Trust Him to give you everything you need today.
- And read … What Gives You Hope When You Need it Most?
God bless you today, tomorrow, and all the days to come with all the hope you need that you might rest in His love and rejoice!
This Week’s Friday Favorites
Highlight Posts of the Week!
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I’m so grateful we have a basis for our hope. We don’t depend on luck: we rest in the love of a wise and faithful Father who wants what’s best for us.
The link-up says it has ended–maybe some glitch?
I really enjoyed reading yours; in my heart, I always depend on God first.
By the way, the link-up already has ended, hasn’t it?
Thanks so much for letting me know, Joyce! I have it fixed now! <3
And all the people said AMEN!!!!!
When I find my hope flagging, it’s an alarm, warning me that I’ve planted it in the wrong places again. Thanks for good words today that serve as a reset button!
I hadn’t thought about the difference in how a secular person views hope vs how a Christian views hope. I’m so thankful that my hope is found in Christ Jesus. I can share this hope with others and the confidence we are able to have in His hope. Thank you Deb for such a beautiful post about our sure Hope in Jesus.
Deb, I often wonder the same thing about those who hope in things secular. That isn’t true hope, but only chasing the wind. I pray that their eyes and hearts will be opened to the hope that is everlasting and unchanging – Hope in God’s promises.
Blessings!
There is a big difference in how we view hope as believers. I’ve often wondered how people make it through suffering and trials without true hope. There are many false forms floating around. But they always fizzle and leave us empty-handed. Why? Because at the center of defining hope we soon realize hope has a name. Jesus.
I’ve thought about this a lot because we do see many forms of hope in this world. Hope not anchored in God can drive a person crazy – but hope in Him provides endurance and peace.
Thank you for the way you articulated the differences in this post.
What a gift hope is.
Thank you Deb, our hope in Christ is truly awe inspiring.
Blessings,
Jennifer
“That place where our prayers reach God’s heart … where you and I can run for comfort, strength, and hope when life is hard.” Thank you, Lord that we do find comfort and strength in you.