We’re still unsure when and how NFL training camps will open up, but that doesn’t mean fans and players aren’t thinking about the upcoming season. At this point, many fans have hope there will be a season and that their favorite team will have a great year.
The Arizona Cardinals fans hope that by adding star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, their offense will take a big jump in Kyler Murray's second year.
The San Francisco 49ers fans hope that their Super Bowl loss will motivate them to get back and win it this year.
The Philadelphia Eagles hope Carson Wentz will lead them back to the playoffs while the Bears hope they can bounce back after a disappointing 2019 season.
The Saints, Colts, Bucs, and Steelers hope their older quarterbacks still have something left in the tank while the Jets, Bills, Giants, and Jaguars hope their young QBs continue to improve.
The definition of hope is “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.”
Many of us today can relate to this in our own lives as we hope the pandemic ends soon, we hope to stay healthy or get healthy, we hope to keep our job or to get a new job, or maybe sell our house or have a baby. We have a desire for something in particular to happen but realize there is no guarantee.
Although we want to be filled with hope each day, instead of being discouraged or negative, there’s a difference between hope attached to a desire and hope attached to a promise.
The Biblical definition of hope in the New Testament isn’t based on “a feeling of expectation,” but rather a certainty in something that is not yet realized. It’s not just a desire, but deep confidence that it will happen. This hope is rooted in Jesus and attached to the promises of God.
Romans 5:2 (AMP) explains, “Through Him, we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand. Let us rejoice in our hope and the confident assurance of the glory of God .”
The footnote says that in the New Testament “the word ‘hope’ expresses a cherished desire along with the confident assurance of obtaining that which is longed for.”
Of course, we hope for things to happen here on earth, but when we receive Christ we know we’ve been given salvation, eternal life, and access to the God of the universe.
The hope we now have is a confident assurance for our soul and because of that, we rest in knowing that even when we don’t get the job or improved health, we still cling to God’s promises.
Romans 12:12 (AMP) says, “constantly rejoicing in hope …”
Hebrews 6:18-19 (NLT) tells us, “So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie.
"Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are my refuge and my strength. My hope is in You, Lord, and I praise You for the assured confidence You give to my soul. I thank you that my hope for eternity is secure in Your promises. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
How does our hope in God affect our hope for other things?
Why should we remain hopeful during these trying times and what promises can we cling to?
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