Where does your hope come from and where does it rest? Is it in the economy or political system? Is your hope resting on your career or financial and social status? Have you placed your hope in your spouse or even in your kids? Hope is where your confidence lies. The only secure and lasting hope is found in Christ Jesus. The apostle Paul understood this fact as evident in how he opens the book of 1 Timothy. The very first verse states, that Jesus Christ IS OUR HOPE.
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope.” 1 Timothy 1:1 (NKJV)
Abraham also understood that his hope had to rest in God. With a mighty promise the Lord spoke these words to Abraham ….
“By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son—  blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.  In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”      Genesis 22:16-18 (NKJV).
Abraham means “Father of a Multitude.” But it was not until he was 100 years old that his child Isaac was born. Can you imagine introducing yourself with such a name and not have a single child to boast about? To see the promises of God occur, we must trust the character of God and His faithfulness to His Word. God cannot lie and as there is no other name above His, He swears an oath with His own name.
In Hebrews 6:17-18 God reveals His determination to give THE HEIRS of this promise a solid hope by reminding them that He is UNCHANGABLE. In a world that is always changing, the promises of God never change. This is truth.
Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.
AND
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)
Therefore, we can take comfort in knowing our hope, found in Jesus, is our refuge. We all suffer from trials and tribulations and become refugees at some point in life. We look for comfort and help so He is that “Strong Tower” we must run to for protection and strength.
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV)
Hebrews 6:19 draws an analogy between our hope in Christ and an anchor. Our hope rooted in Christ is an anchor for our soul, the seat of emotions, our will, and the mind. An anchor is that sure and steadfast presence that keeps us steady and safe in the most turbulent of storms.
During a tempest, the anchor of a sailing ship is deployed to the depths of an ocean floor. It keeps the ship secure so it won’t crash against rocks or get lost at sea. However, the anchor of a Christian is not tossed to the watery depths found on earth. No, instead it is cast high above into the heavenly realm where God the Father abides. Our hope is in Christ. Christ is our anchor. Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of the Father in HEAVEN. Therefore, our hope is in heaven interceding for us both day and night. He does not sleep.
^“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
We have a secure line to our anchor in the throne room. It is made of supernatural twin. But to enter into the hope God has promised, we must FLEE TO the place of refuge. Yes, on our knees we must seek His face and ask for His help. To receive the blessings of God we must exercise our faith, trusting in His love for us and in His plan to give us a hope and a future. Hope is the confident expectation of coming good. This is a strong consolation based on the very character of God. God is love.
“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” John 4:8 (NKJV)
MEDITATE ON THESE SCRIPTURES. WHERE YOU HAVE PLACED YOUR HOPE?
“The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.” Psalm 147:11 (NKJV)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NIV)
“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!
For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
Until these calamities have passed by.” Psalm 57:1 (NKJV)
“In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.” Proverbs 14:26 (NKJV)
“For You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.” Isaiah 25:4 (NKJV)
* SPECIAL THANKS to Pastor Eric Cartier of Rocky Mountain Calvary. His sermon on Hebrews 6:13-20 inspired this devotion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkMapZB8qMk
MY HOPE IS BUILT
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
When darkness seems to veil His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
His oath His covenant and blood
Support me in the ‘whelming flood:
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ the solid rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
When the last trumpet’s voice shall sound,
O may I then in him be found.
Clothed in his righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before his throne.
Words by Edward Mote (1797-1874) and others
Music by Francis Blight (PRS)