How has hope been brought to us?
(Isaiah 41:8-14; Habakkuk 3:17-19; Hebrews 6:18-20; 12:1-11) Blog Aug 07-13, 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Even though God may lead us into trials and among enemies he also comforts us and supplies us with food, grace, and forgiveness. In our sufferings he provides a way of escape for it is his desire that we come closer to him, increase our faith in him, and be transformed into the image of his Son. Even Jesus learned obedience by the things which he suffered and he gave us an example of enduring unto the end.
The Promised Hope
1. What did Jeremiah say was his hope in the evil day? Jeremiah said that God, himself was his hope in the evil day (Jer. 17:17).
2. In what did David hope? David hoped in God, in his mercy, & in his Word (Psa. 33:18; 71:5; 130:5).
3. What great promise of God was Ezequiel told to encourage his hopeless people with? Ezequiel was told to remind God’s people that God would open their graves & cause them to come out (Eze. 37:11-14).
4. What did Paul say would produce hope? Paul wrote that tribulation would produce patience & patience would produce experience & experience would produce hope (Rom. 5:1-5).
5. What keeps us from being ashamed of the hope we have? The love of God shed abroad in our hearts keeps us from being ashamed of claiming God’s promises (Rom. 5:4-5).
6. Is it possible for a Christian to lose his hope? Yes, even the best of saints, at times become discouraged (Job 19:10; Heb. 3:6).
7. How does Peter say that hope has been brought to us? Peter says it is through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead that hope has been brought to us (1 Pet. 1:3).
8. When does Peter say that our hope will be realized? Peter says that our hope will be realized at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:13).
Hanging on to Hope
9. Throughout Job’s trials what evidence of hope did he express? When Job lost all his wealth & children he said: “The Lord gave & the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” When in pain & surrounded by his friends Job said of God: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.” In chapters 14 & 19 Job expresses his hope in the resurrection. In chapter 16 he says “My witness is in heaven, & my record is on high.” Speaking of God, he said “When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 1:21; 13:15; 14:13-15; 16:19; 19:25-26; 23:10).
10. When God revealed himself to Job, what ultimate expression of hope did Job make? Job said to God: “I know that thou canst do everything” (Job 42:2).
11. How did Habakkuk respond when God told him of all the evil that would come upon his people? Habakkuk said that although all support would be cut off, he would rejoice in God his Savior, for he was his strength & would lift him up on high (Hab. 3:17-19).
12. What reasons for hope did God give to his people in Isaiah 41? God told his people that he had chosen them & called them to serve him. He assured them that he was with them & would strengthen & help them with the right hand of his righteousness; & God promised to destroy their enemies (Isa. 41:8-14).
13. What will we do as we continue in hope? We will purify ourselves, & follow Jesus in his heavenly ministry, & patiently wait for our hope to be realized (Rom. 8:25; Heb. 6:18-20; 10:36; 1 John 3:3).
Our Ultimate Hope
14. What is our ultimate hope? Our ultimate hope is an eternal, incorruptible inheritance (1 Pet. 1:4).
15. How secure is our ultimate hope? Our ultimate hope is a living hope for it has already been purchased by Jesus & is reserved in heaven for us (1 Pet. 1:3-4).
16. What ultimate hope helped Jesus endure the cross? The joy of a future redeemed humanity gave Jesus the strength to endure the cross & despise its shame (Heb. 12:2).
17. How will considering the opposition that Jesus met, help us to endure suffering? By looking to Jesus & the things that he suffered we will overcome weariness & not lose heart (Heb. 12:2-3).
18. How should receiving corrective punishment from God give us hope? God only gives corrective punishment to his own children, so when we experience that, we are assured that we are his children & that he loves us (Heb. 12:5-11).
19. How long does David say we should hope in the Lord? David says we should hope in the Lord now & forever (Psa. 130:3).