I am told that the admonition to “fear not” is listed 365 times in the Bible. Our natural instincts are predisposed to fear. Fear breeds hopelessness. That must be why God is so persistent in telling us to fight it.
Jesus said “don’t LET your heart be troubled”. The word LET, indicates that fear is always a choice. In that way, I suppose hope is too. The power of fear can be overcome by the Spirit of God, and our conscious choices. It is however a daily decision, requiring discipline and resolve.
I’ve read the end of the book. Things will get worse before they get better. Hope is not found in circumstance. It’s only found in our unwavering commitment to keep our eyes on Jesus.
1. A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it. hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.
2. Confidence in a future event; the highest degree of well founded expectation of good; as a hope founded on God's gracious promises; a scriptural sense.
A well founded scriptural hope is, in our religion, the source of ineffable happiness.
I am told that the admonition to “fear not” is listed 365 times in the Bible. Our natural instincts are predisposed to fear. Fear breeds hopelessness. That must be why God is so persistent in telling us to fight it.
Jesus said “don’t LET your heart be troubled”. The word LET, indicates that fear is always a choice. In that way, I suppose hope is too. The power of fear can be overcome by the Spirit of God, and our conscious choices. It is however a daily decision, requiring discipline and resolve.
I’ve read the end of the book. Things will get worse before they get better. Hope is not found in circumstance. It’s only found in our unwavering commitment to keep our eyes on Jesus.
Good stuff Greg! God bless.
DB
HOPE, noun [Latin cupio.]
1. A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it. hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.
2. Confidence in a future event; the highest degree of well founded expectation of good; as a hope founded on God's gracious promises; a scriptural sense.
A well founded scriptural hope is, in our religion, the source of ineffable happiness.
webstersdictionary1828<dot>com
So much truth!!🔥
Wow. So beautifully put. I'm encouraged. Thanks Greg.