The Source of Hope
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
We are never without hope when we are connected to the God of hope.
How do you describe hope?
What can you say that your hope is not . . . ?
or that your hope is . . . ?
*The definition of hope in the Bible is a confident expectation of what God has promised.
Years ago during my first husbands’ battle with cancer I desperately looked for hope, and I discovered the power of praying Gods’ promises. I had a small Bible that I carried with me and I underlined with a red-colored pencil every promise that I came across. I remember sitting in ER, or waiting in the chemo infusion room and opening that Bible just to look for the underlined red verses. (I chose the red-colored pencil because red reminded me of the blood of Jesus, and every promise has been paid for by Jesus.)
Now whenever I feel troubled or needy, I have found great help as I’ve learned to take God’s promises and make them my prayer. Our God is a promise-making, promise-keeping God. The Bible is full of promises, which show us what God wants for us. Because He desires a relationship with us, He wants us to ask!
Spurgeon: “God's promises were never meant to be thrown aside as waste paper; He intended that they should be used. Nothing pleases our Lord better than to see His promises put in circulation; He loves to see His children bring them up to Him and say, "Lord, do as You have said." 2 Samuel 7:25
Psalm 146:5 says, “Happy are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He is the one who keep every promise forever. The Lord lifts the burdens of those bent beneath their loads.”
What does this Scripture tell us about hope?
Who can have hope?
What is the source of hope?
What is the reason for hope?
Is there a promise in this Scripture that gives you hope?
This last week I heard someone on a news broadcast make the statement: “Helplessness leads to hopelessness.” Our situation now may make us feel helpless, but the Bible shows us that having God’s help and living with hope are connected. When we rely on God’s help, we can look at our situation with hope. In this lesson, we’ll look at a dozen Scriptures where God promises to help us.
I encourage you to study these Scriptures with color. Print this lesson if you can. Find a red and a yellow colored pencil, marker, or crayon. In each Scripture, find the word ‘help’ and circle it. Then underline the promise(s) in red, and underline anything that we need to do (a condition for the promise) in yellow. The yellow color makes me think of a yield sign. It’s my reminder to pause and ponder; to ask myself, “am I doing this? Or, do I meet the condition for this promise?”
*It’s always good to read the verses around these Scriptures so that we don’t misinterpret them.
Make God’s promises your prayer. When you have a need or feel troubled, take a specific Scripture and ask God to fulfill His promise in your life. As you see God at work in your life, be sure to share with others.
Let’s spread hope!
(If you can’t print this next page, go ahead and fill it out online and email it to yourself.)
Your Word is my source of hope. Psalm 119:114
A Dozen Promises for Those Who Need Help!
The Hebrew word for "help" means to surround, to protect, and to give support to. It is a picture of someone who runs to the aid of one who is in difficulty or distress, to support and to assist them in their suffering.
As you read these Scriptures, look for:
God’s promise to us—what God wants for us (underline with red)
Anything God wants from us—any action to obey (underline with yellow)
God’s Words to you—is there a specific situation in your life this applies to?
What it would look like in your life if you really believed this promise?
*These Scriptures are from the New Living Translation:
1. Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with My victorious right hand.
2. Isaiah 41:13 For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, “Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” The Message—I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic. I’m right here to help you.’
3. Philippians 4:13 I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.
AMP—I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me (I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me).
4. Psalm 33:20-22 We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice for we trust in His holy name. Let Your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in You alone.
5. Deuteronomy 33:26,27 There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor. The eternal God is your refuge, and His everlasting arms are under you.
6. Psalm 34:17 The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
7. Psalm 34:5 Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
8. Psalm 69:32 The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help live in joy.
9. Psalm 46:1,2 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
10. Psalm 121:1-3 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains, where shall my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep.
“Satan will endeavor to keep our eyes upon our sorrows that we may be discouraged. May we firmly resolve that we will look out and look up; for those who lift up their eyes to the eternal God shall soon have their hearts lifted up also.” Spurgeon
11. Psalm 57:1-3 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to You for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of Your wings until the danger passes by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill His purpose for me. He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me. My God will send forth His unfailing love and faithfulness.
12. Hebrews 4:14-16 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
