Overflowing Hope
Hope is a divine gift that transforms adversity into gold and gives eternal encouragement and good hope.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the transformative power of hope, describing it as a divine force that turns adversity into something precious. He illustrates how the Apostle Paul maintained joy and confidence even in the face of death, knowing that present troubles lead to eternal glory. Tozer highlights that hope, rooted in God's character and the work of Jesus, is a gift that enables Christians to navigate life's storms with assurance. He describes hope as a 'living hope' that is based on reality rather than mere wishful thinking, providing a solid foundation for faith and joy.
Text
So strong, so beautiful is hope that it is scarcely possible to overpraise it. It is the divine alchemy that transmutes the base metal of adversity into gold. In the midst of death Paul could be bold and buoyant because he had firm confidence in the final outcome. "For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake," he said, but his heart remained cheerful knowing that "our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (2 Corinthians 4:11,17). His lovely little benediction pronounced over the Roman Christians shows how faith and peace and joy live with hope like four fair sisters dwelling in the same cottage: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).
Faith is confidence in the character of God, and hope is the sweet anticipation of desirable things promised but not yet realized. Hope is an electronic beam on which the Christian flies through wind and storm straight to his desired haven. To the child of God, hope is a gift from the heavenly Father "who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope" (2 Thessalonians 2:16).
The Christian's hope is sound because it is founded upon the character of God and the redeeming work of His Son Jesus Christ. For this reason Peter could call it "a living hope" (1 Peter 1:3). It is living because it rests on reality and not on fancy. It is not wishful dreaming but vital expectation with the whole might of the Most High behind it.
Sermon Outline
- The Nature of Hope
- Hope is divine alchemy that transforms adversity into gold
- Hope is a gift from God, giving eternal encouragement and good hope
- Hope is a vital expectation with the whole might of God behind it
Key Quotes
“For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, but our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” — A.W. Tozer
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” — A.W. Tozer
“For this reason Peter could call it 'a living hope' (1 Peter 1:3).” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- As a Christian, you can have hope in the midst of adversity because your hope is founded upon the character of God and the redeeming work of His Son Jesus Christ.
- Your hope should be a vital expectation with the whole might of God behind it, not just wishful dreaming.
- You can overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit when you trust in God.