This devotional thought on hope reminds believers that endurance, patience, and trust in the Lord are central to the Christian faith. Drawing from early Christian writings and Scripture, it points us toward the blessed hope found in Christ.

Cyprian wrote:

It is the wholesome precept of or Lord and Master: “He that endureth,” saith he, “unto the end the same shall be saved”(see Matthew 10:22). We must endure and persevere, in order that, being admitted to the hope of truth and liberty, we may attain to the truth and liberty itself; for that very fact that we are Christians is the substance of faith and hope. For we are not following after present glory, but future, according to what Paul the apostle also warns us, and says, “We are saved by hope; but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he hope for? But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we by patience wait for it” (see Romans 8:24). Therefore, waiting and patience are needful, that we may fulfill that which we have begun to be, and may receive that which we believe and hope for, according to God’s own showing.

Below are some scriptures related to the above statement and all are taken from the KJV Bible.

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:24

Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. Psalm 130:7

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalm 27:14

The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:25-26

My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. Psalm 119:81

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. Psalm 62:5-6

I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. Psalm 130:5

For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth. Psalm 71:5

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever: Psalm 146:5-6

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Romans 12:12

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, Ephesians 1:18

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Titus 2:13

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3

Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. Psalm 33:22

May these “Words of Thought” be a blessing unto you.
Troy Chandler
Chaplain, Army of Trans-Mississippi