Why Should We Put Our Hope In God
In times of trouble and uncertainty, many people wonder where they can place their hope. As challenges arise in our lives, whether personal struggles or global crises, having an unshakable source of hope can provide comfort, strength, and direction.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Putting our hope in God gives us an eternal, reliable and powerful source of hope that can sustain us through all of life’s ups and downs.
In this article, we will explore several reasons why God is the only sure foundation for hope that will never fade or fail us. We will consider God’s eternal nature, His faithful promises, and His proven power to deliver those who trust in Him.
God Is Eternal and Unchanging
God Existed Before Time Began
The Bible tells us that God has always existed – He is eternal (Psalm 90:2). He was present before the creation of the universe and time itself. As mortals bound by time, it can be hard for us to comprehend something or someone that is eternal and has no beginning or end.
But when we think deeply about it, the eternity of God makes sense. Since He created time and space, He transcends it – He is uncreated and self-existent. We can take comfort knowing that long before we or anything in this world existed, God was there, reigning in His majestic glory.
God Remains Constant While the World Changes
We live in a world of change – people come and go, technology advances, moral standards shift. But amidst all the change and chaos, God remains constant and unchanging. His character and promises do not vary – He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
While governments rise and fall, God remains sovereign over human affairs. When we feel lost in changing times, we can anchor ourselves to God’s unchanging nature – His wisdom, power, love and faithfulness endure.
No matter how much our culture changes, God’s truth as revealed in Scripture stands firm.
We Can Depend on God No Matter Our Circumstances
Life is filled with twists and turns – one day things are calm and going well, the next we may find ourselves in a crisis. But no matter what happens, God remains trustworthy and able to help us. He promises to be with us and strengthen us, even when we walk through the valley of shadows (Psalm 23:4).
His plans for us are for good, even if we can’t understand at the moment (Jeremiah 29:11). When everything around us seems uncertain, we can find certainty in God’s steadfast love and sovereignty over our lives. He faithfully keeps His promises to lead, guide and redeem us.
Despite our ever-changing circumstances, we can firmly hope in God who never changes.
God’s Promises Are Completely Trustworthy
God Always Keeps His Promises
Throughout the Bible, we see that God consistently keeps His promises. He promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, and this came to pass (Genesis 17:5). He promised Moses that He would deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, and He did just that through the ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 3:20).
Jesus promised His disciples that He would die and rise again three days later – and sure enough, after being crucified, He rose from the dead on the third day (Matthew 16:21). God is not a man that He should lie or change His mind (Numbers 23:19) – when He makes a promise, He keeps it without fail.
Even when God’s promises seem improbable or unlikely from a human perspective, we can be confident that He has the power to fulfill what He has said. For instance, God promised Zechariah and Elizabeth – who were old and childless – that they would have a son named John who would prepare the way for Jesus (Luke 1:13-17).
This seemed impossible, but sure enough John the Baptist was born to them. As Jesus said, “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). When the fulfillment of God’s promises seems to be delayed, we can rest assured that His perfect timing and divine purposes are at work.
God’s Plans Cannot Be Stopped or Altered
Not only does God keep His promises, but His sovereign plans cannot be thwarted or stopped by anyone. As He says in Isaiah 14:27, “For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?” God accomplishes all that He purposes to do.
His plans stand firm forever (Psalm 33:11).
There are many examples in Scripture of how God’s plans prevailed despite opposition. Pharaoh tried to stop God from delivering the Israelites from Egypt, but could not thwart His plan (Exodus 5-12). Haman plotted to destroy the Jews, but his evil plans were overturned (Esther 3-9).
The religious leaders conspired to kill Jesus and silence His teachings, but God raised Him from the dead and the gospel spread rapidly (Acts 2-5). No earthly power can ultimately stand against the sovereign will of God. He is Almighty and His purposes cannot be stopped.
We Can Be Confident God Will Do What He Says
Because God always keeps His promises and His plans cannot be thwarted, we can have complete confidence that He will do what He says He will do. When God makes a statement or prophecy about the future, we can count on it coming to pass – no matter how impossible it seems.
For example, after God promised Abraham an heir, He said the Israelites would be enslaved 400 years before being delivered (Genesis 15:13-16) – and this came true right on schedule.
Jesus made many prophecies about future events, including the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem (Matthew 24:1-2), Peter’s denial (Matthew 26:34), and His own death and resurrection (Luke 18:31-33) – and all these came to pass just as He foretold.
God declares “the end from the beginning” because He knows the future and orchestrates all things according to His perfect will (Isaiah 46:10). When He affirms that something will certainly happen, we can trust Him fully. What confidence and rest this brings!
God Has Proven His Power Over Circumstances
God Displays His Might Through Miracles
Throughout history, God has demonstrated His awesome power by performing incredible miracles. From the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus to Jesus healing the sick and raising the dead in the Gospels, we’ve seen God intervene in supernatural ways.
These miracles defy natural explanation and reveal that God is not limited by the laws of nature. He can supersede them at will to accomplish His purposes. Miracles are a vivid reminder that God is all-powerful and cares deeply for His people.
Some notable biblical miracles include:
- The 10 plagues against Egypt (Exodus 7-12)
- Joshua commanding the sun and moon to stand still (Joshua 10:12-14)
- Elijah raising a boy from the dead (1 Kings 17:17-24)
- The virgin birth of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38)
- Jesus feeding the 5,000 (Mark 6:30-44)
- Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-45)
These supernatural acts leave no doubt about God’s absolute power. He is more than capable of intervening in any circumstance, no matter how impossible it may seem.
God Achieves the Impossible
In addition to miracles, the Bible contains many examples of God doing what seems humanly impossible. For instance, the Old Testament records instance after instance of God delivering and protecting His people against overwhelming odds:
- God enabled David to defeat the giant Goliath with just a sling and stone (1 Samuel 17)
- God caused the walls of Jericho to collapse, allowing the Israelites to conquer the city (Joshua 6)
- God shut the mouths of lions to protect Daniel when he was thrown into their den (Daniel 6)
- God preserved Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3)
These examples demonstrate that nothing is too difficult for God. When the situation seems hopeless from a human perspective, God can bring deliverance in His perfect timing.
The New Testament reveals another aspect of God’s power: His ability to radically transform hearts and lives. Conversions like the Apostle Paul on the Damascus road (Acts 9) show that God can take even the most hardened sinner and turn them into a new creation in Christ.
With God, a completely fresh start is always possible!
We Can Trust God to Help Us Overcome Obstacles
Since God is all-powerful, we can have confidence that He will help us overcome any challenge or adversity we face in life. Here are some key truths to remember:
- God is greater than any obstacle or enemy we will ever face (1 John 4:4).
- Nothing is too hard for God (Jeremiah 32:17). He can make a way when there seems to be no way.
- God will give us the strength to endure any trial we face (Isaiah 40:29-31).
- If God leads us to something, He will give us the ability to accomplish it (Exodus 3:10-12).
Rather than relying on our own limited strength and understanding, we can turn to the Lord who is able to do infinitely more than we can ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20). He cares about our struggles and promises to sustain us with His righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).
What obstacle can stand against the awesome God who parts seas, shuts lions’ mouths, and raises the dead to life!
Putting Our Hope in God Brings Peace and Purpose
Hope in God Anchors Us Through Life’s Storms
Life can be filled with uncertainty and challenges that threaten to overwhelm us. Putting our hope in God provides an unshakable anchor that holds firm through the fiercest storms (Hebrews 6:19). When we trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty, we can have peace and strength to weather life’s difficulties knowing that God will see us through.
For example, someone who loses their job can feel tossed about by financial fears and uncertainty about the future. But those who hope in God can be confident that He will provide for their needs (Philippians 4:19).
They can turn to Him in prayer, trusting that He cares for them and will guide their steps. Though storms will come, hope in God gives stability and courage to press on.
Hope in God Gives Meaning and Direction
Putting our hope in God infuses our lives with purpose and direction. Without God, we might strive after wrong goals that leave us empty inside. King Solomon observed that life feels meaningless when it is lived only for wealth, pleasure, and achievements (Ecclesiastes 2:11).
But hoping in God focuses our hearts on pursuing His will and bringing glory to Him.
When we hope in God, we can joyfully give our lives to loving Him and serving others. We can find purpose in simple acts like raising children, working hard at our job, or volunteering in our community. Our lives gain incredible meaning when they are aligned with God’s purposes.
Hope in God Produces Lasting Contentment
This world can never fully satisfy us. But putting our hope in God brings deep contentment that does not depend on external circumstances. The apostle Paul learned to be content in every situation – whether living in plenty or in poverty – by drawing strength from Christ (Philippians 4:11-13).
When our happiness is rooted in God’s love for us, we have a joy that remains steadfast through loss, hardships, and pain. As we delight ourselves in the Lord, He grants the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4).
The joy, peace, and contentment that come from hoping in God surpass anything this world can offer.
Conclusion
In a changing world filled with uncertainty, God remains constant—the one completely reliable source of hope. His eternal, unfading promises provide a firm foundation to stand upon no matter what storms we face.
Because He has proven His power over every circumstance, we can confidently put our hope in Him. Doing so brings unspeakable peace and steadfast purpose for this life and the next.