“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5).
The hope that produces result is the one that has its roots in God. No man should hope in himself, for there is no strength in such hope. To hope in God is to trust entirely in Him for your provision. Yet, hope is not enough to change circumstances until it is mixed with faith.
Many Christians have hoped for changes in their jobs, finances, schools, homes and circumstances. And they’re still hoping. A winner is one who lives above making statements like “One day, it will work” or “Well, I hope everything will come out successfully.” A winner announces that all is well because he knows that his expectation as a righteous man shall be met (Proverbs 24:14). He has such profound assurance in God’s ability that he confidently declares it.
While hope is the ingredient that makes you apply faith, faith is the response of the human spirit to the Word of God. Believe what the Word says about you and as a result of your belief, act on it. That’s what produces result. Do not surrender to any circumstance that is not in conformity with God’s plan and purpose for your life. You must be responsive to the Word of God—as though your life depends on it—the truth is it really does depend on it.
Believing the Word of God and living by it takes you from the arena of hope into faith. The Bible didn’t say the just shall live by hope, but by faith: “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him” (Hebrews 10:38). Jesus didn’t say “have hope in God”; He said “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22); in other words, “Have the God-type of faith.”
Give substance to your hope today by acting on God’s Word that you’ve believed. That’s faith! That’s what you require for your life to be an unending stream of the miraculous. That’s what you need to walk in victory.
Confession
I’m a hearer and doer of the Word! I do not merely express hope in God; I have faith in the prevailing and transformational power of his eternal Word. Therefore I speak forth God’s Word right now, and declare that my day is blessed, and I’ll walk in the victory and triumph of Christ today, in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Further study
Hebrews 11:1
James 1:22
Mark 11:22-23
(Taken by permission from Christ Embassy Church , aka Believer’s LoveWorld Ministries , Lagos, Nigeria. www.ChristEmbassy.org )
