Hope!

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. (Jeremiah 17:7)

What is hope?  Hope is having a desire for something, and patiently waiting for it to come to pass: Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12); For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (Romans 8:24-25; Romans 8:18-30) Hope is a confident expectation, a firm assurance regarding things that are unclear and unknown. (Got Questions.org)  The word hope was used in the Old Testament, mainly in the books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs and the prophets.  It's used much throughout the New Testament. There are various Hebrew and Greek words that were translated as "hope".  We'll study these different applications more:

The most important "hope" we have is that this life is not the end, but that there is life after this, and that through our belief in the Word of God, in Jesus the Christ, we will receive eternal life in heaven: For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off. (Proverbs 23:18); For Sheol [Hell] cannot thank You, Death cannot praise You; Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your truth. (Isaiah 38:18); I have hope in God, ..., that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. (Acts 24:15); ...in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,... (Titus 1:2); that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:7); Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)

There are many who don't believe in God, Jesus Christ or life after death, as the apostle Paul explains very clearly: Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?  But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.  And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.  Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise.  For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen.  And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!  Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. (I Corinthians 15:12-19) 

But no matter what man may say or believe, we who have our "hope" in Christ must hold to what we believe, because God is not a liar and He will not allow us to be shamed: according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. (Philippians 1:20); For what is the hope of the hypocrite, Though he may gain much, If God takes away his life? (Job 27:8); The hope of the righteous will be gladness, But the expectation of the wicked will perish. (Proverbs 10:28)

We also have a "hope" that we will do well while we're still living here, not just when we get to heaven.  But we can't allow the things of this world, even if God blesses us with as much as we desire, to take the place of God in our lives: “If I have made gold my hope, Or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’; If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my hand had gained much; If I have observed the sun when it shines, Or the moon moving in brightness, So that my heart has been secretly enticed, And my mouth has kissed my hand; This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment, For I would have denied God who is above. (Job 31:24-28) And if for whatever reason, God doesn't allow us to have all of the desires of our heart, we must still hold to what we believe: Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;  and perseverance, character; and character, hope.  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:1-5) 

There is a "hope" that we will "see" something from God, whether we are believers or not: Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. (Luke 23:8) Many people just want to see a show, or see a believer fail, but God will deal with each of us according to what we deserve: Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. (Proverbs 26:12);  Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. (Proverbs 29:20) “For there is hope for a tree, If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And that its tender shoots will not cease. (Job 14:7); For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.  If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?  (I Corinthians 9:10-11); Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (Galatians 6:7) Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD. (Psalm 31:24); It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD. (Lamentations 3:26)

Most of us have a "hope" that things will get better, if not in this generation, then for the generations to come.  The evidience of that is clearly seen during election seasons, when we try to decide on who to vote for, with the hope that those persons will make things better.  But the only sure way to know that things will get better is if we teach our children the right way - the Word of God, so that when they grow up, they will make good choices and teach their children, and so on: Which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children; That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children, That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments; (Psalm 78:6-7);  Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction. (Proverbs 19:18); I hope in Your word. (Psalm 119); For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4)

Whatever "hope" we have, above all things, lets make sure our hope is in God the Father, and our Savior and Lord Jesus the Christ: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (I Peter 1:3-5)