Hope
Author
Alberto González Muñoz
Summary: Hope allows us to see what we desire or need as possible, and it goes hand in hand with faith in God. Jesus’ words about moving mountains do not mean that simply wishing for something and saying it will make it happen. Nor do we always receive what we ask for: we do not fully know what is best for us, and we can trust God’s wisdom and sovereignty when he denies us something. Hope also moves us to work, create favorable conditions, and recognize opportunities. Even if difficult times come or the worst happens, we can hope in God: his purpose may not be clear, but he does not abandon us, and his presence is enough for us.
A listener to my radio program, “Messages of Faith and Hope,” on Radio TransMundial, asked me to define the word hope. I answered that it was a state of mind in which we regard what we desire or need as possible. Since the Bible teaches that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1), it seems that faith and hope always go hand in hand.
Some words of Jesus confirm this: Have faith in God. For truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and cast into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him (Mark 11:22–23). We cannot take these words literally and believe that we will break up mountains merely by wishing it and saying it, as some claim. But there is tremendous power in believing that what we desire or need to happen is possible. Jesus also said: And whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive (Matthew 21:22).
I imagine, too, that some of my readers have made requests that were never granted. I have had the same experience. We are not the masters of the universe, nor is it our will that must be done on earth as it is in heaven. Neither do we have enough wisdom to ask God for what is truly best for us. That is why we believe in His sovereignty and omniscience, trusting that He knows what He is doing when He denies us something.
Nevertheless, hope can help us achieve our dreams. It does so in the sense that, without consciously setting out to do it, we work and gradually create the conditions for them to come true. In doing so, we foster favorable circumstances, and our minds stay alert so that we do not let possibilities and opportunities slip away. A favorable state of mind is essential to achieving our goals.
When we ask for God’s help and trust in His infinite power, our attitudes prompt actions that make it more likely that what we desire will happen. Years ago, a song was popular that said, “I have faith that everything will pass, that hope will triumph once again,” and I confess that listening to it helped me a great deal.
To have hope is to believe that better times will come, or to know that the sun will rise tomorrow no matter what and fill our day with light. It is to expect the best from life, whatever happens, because we know that God never abandons us and has a purpose of blessing, even though at times His plan is not clear to our eyes. It is to say, as Job did: Listen to me, and I will speak, and let come upon me afterward what may… Behold, though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him; nevertheless, I will defend my ways before Him, and He Himself will be my salvation (Job 13:13–16).
To have hope is to know that even when everything is lacking, everything fails us, or even the worst happens, God will be in us. And His presence will be enough for us!
God bless you!