thinking about hope

Notice the way Hope changes from the old testament to the new. David says: I will hope continually (Ps. 71:14) in many different ways. His hope was in the future fulfillment of the promises. On through time as in Joel 3;16 the people of God say, but the LORD will be the hope. In Zechariah 9:12 they are called the “prisoners of hope” There isn't room to review all of the constant references made through the old testament to the coming hope.

The hope of the Israelites was as much their unrealized yearning for better times and more security in their lives as it was for spiritual blessings. For them all their Hope of God resided in obedience to the Law. For them their Hope was forward looking for something yet to come

But now we can experience the fullness of that hope. I’m quoting the Amplified text because it is so wonderful : 9For if the service that condemns [the ministration of doom] had glory, how infinitely more abounding in splendor and glory must be the service that makes righteous [the ministry that produces and fosters righteous living and right standing with God]! If the Old Testament Law was glorious in its clarity and direction even though it could never bring about righteousness of heart in the doers, how much more glorious is it to live in the service of the Living Christ who died to make us one with him.

Indeed, in view of this fact, what once had splendor the glory of the Law in the face of Moses] has come to have no splendor at all, because of the overwhelming glory that exceeds and excels it, the glory of the Gospel in the face of Jesus Christ].( II Corinthians 3: 9 - 19) The old law had its glory in the promise of what was to come, but the reality of Salvation supersedes and overpowers the promise. The law could not make man perfect in God’s sight, but Christ can!

What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us (Romans 8:3-4) For if that which was but passing and fading away came with splendor, how much more must that which remains and is permanent abide in glory and splendor! ( II Corinthians 3:11) The Law was a temporary thing, it was fleeting and, in a sense useless, except to serve as a schoolmaster to teach Man about sin. Yet Man placed his hope in it and looked forward to something that would make Him able to be holy.

But, Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. ( Romans 15:13) Paul wishes the fulness of joy and peace that we are abounding in hope--in the reality and fulness of the promised salvation. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? (Romans 8:24) We have been saved and experienced the reality of hope.

Now, NOW, we have that hope present in our very being. We know the meaning of it because Hope personified in Christ lives and dwells wth in us1 Thank the Lord we have experienced what to Israelites only longed for!

Blessed hope we have within us is an anchor to the soul,

It is both steadfast and sure;

It is founded on the promises of Father’s written word,

And ’twill evermore endure.

We have a hope within our souls,

Brighter than the perfect day:

God has given us His Spirit,

And we want the world to hear it,

All the doubts are passed away.

Play this song:

http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Hope/midi/