Romans 15:13 (NKJV) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 6:18-19 (TPT) And now we have run into his heart to hide ourselves in his faithfulness. This is where we find his strength and comfort, for he empowers us to seize what has already been established ahead of time — an unshakeable hope. We have this certain hope like a strong, unbreakable anchor holding our souls to God himself. Our anchor of hope is fastened to the mercy seat which sits in the heavenly realm beyond the sacred threshold.

The Bible word translated “hope” in these passages means a joyful and confident expectation of good. How can you know that something good is coming toward you? James 1:17 says every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Good things in life come from God. There is no good apart from Him. Do you remember when the man called Jesus “good teacher” and Jesus took the opportunity to ask him why he called Jesus good? Then Jesus said “no one is good but God alone.” He was not saying that God is good but I am not, He was actually saying God is good and I am God. He was asking if this man knew that by calling Him good he was declaring that He was God.

Why am I bringing this up? Because if hope is a joyful anticipation of good, then the source of hope must be God, since He is the only source of good things. Logic would lead you to conclude that faith in God would fill you with hope. Remember when Jesus was born and the angels rejoiced in “peace on earth and goodwill toward man.” Jesus is the manifestation of God’s goodness to man.

Nothing that the world’s system and culture offers can fill you with hope because it has no goodness to give. The church in the book of Acts urged people to “be rescued from the wayward and perverse culture of this world. (Acts 2:40)” This reminds me of the song I learned in children’s church that says “this joy that I have, the world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away.” Its the same with hope. The world can’t give it and the world can’t take it away. But it is important to know who does give it and exactly how to receive it.

There are so many hopeless people in the world today because the world has banished God, and has therefore shut the door to the only one who can bring goodness and hope to their lives. Our message to all is a message of God’s love and goodness that offers hope to all. Check your expectation right now. Are you living with a joyful anticipation that something good is coming to you? Or do you, like so many, live in fear, worry, doubt, distress, and so many other negative emotions? If those negative things comprise the atmosphere of your heart, mind, and emotions, then I encourage you to come to God and place your faith in Him! He loves you and He has good plans and good things in store for your life!

When you believe God and His promises toward you, it fills you with joy and peace, and it creates an anticipation that the good things He promises to give you are moving your direction. Re-read Romans 15:13 above and see it again. God is faithful to His promises. As a matter of fact, a promise is a self-committal to perform the very thing that was promised. God commits Himself to perform what He promises to all. He shows no favoritism. It is impossible for Him to lie. This creates a place for our hope to anchor itself. We are anchored to His faithfulness!

Jason Haskell is pastor of New Creation Church in Craig and a missionary to the nations. He can be reached at: pastorjason@ncccraig.com.