Audacious Hope: God’s Powerful Word

Audacity is confidence. Hope gives us the ability to expect great things.

There is a popular saying I heard a lot growing up, and it also echoes a Scripture from Proverbs that emphasizes the dangers of constantly disappointed hope. In God’s Word, the writer of Proverbs states:

Proverbs 13:12 (NLT)

[12] Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.

It is interesting to note not only how the desirability of a dream fulfilled gives life, but also the importance of hope itself. For clarity, it’s important to add that not all hope is created equal.

In Romans 4:18–21, Paul refers back to Genesis 15:5 and 17:17, showing how Abraham hoped against hope. He did not consider his old age or Sarah’s inability to bear children, but believed that God was able to do what He promised by giving them a son through Sarah. We don’t hope for things we can already see (Romans 8:24–25).

Therefore, by necessary design, God has chosen to use hope as the instrument to shape our lives and livelihood. With eagerness and patient expectation, we look forward to God’s timing with perseverance. Hope places us in situations with new outlooks and fresh possibilities.

We Must Hope, Believe, and See "It" take Shape!

The Word of God is the Gospel.

The Gospel is the Good News.

And the Good News is this: there is hope for those who believe Jesus is the Christ and accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior. God has already made plans for us. He has chosen to make a way for His children through salvation and redemption.

There is so much power and hope in God’s Word that Paul writes:

Romans 1:16–17 (NKJV)

[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

[17] For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

The Word of God Is Infused with Hope — and Hope Is Powerful!

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)

[12] For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

With the right kind of hope, God’s Word is an unstoppable force. The use of God’s Word, according to His will, cannot be withheld, stopped, or interrupted.

Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV)

[11] So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

God is saying His Word creates expectancy and a need to be fulfilled. His dedication to His Word is our guarantee that He will perform it.

Hope Is Our Aim, with Our Sights Set on Jesus, the Chief Cornerstone.

It almost seems that to truly see hope in its purest form, we have to go through tough situations to appreciate it. Hope carries us from day to day, expecting better tomorrows.

Thinking of hope in action is like a weapon or an instrument — like a bow and arrow. Hope is the aim, the sight, the target for our faith, powered by love, to shoot toward what we aim for. God’s Word carries all three — faith, hope, and love — with a message that builds up and edifies the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 13:13 reminds us that these three remain.

The prophetic and instructional components of the Word are meant to produce hope and encourage the body. God has designed his Word to give life, the entrance of his word brings light. Use God's word for hope and inspire the body with faith that works through love.

Have a wonderful hope- full week!

II Timothy 3:16–17 (NKJV)

[16] All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

[17] that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.