To a believer, the expression “hope springs eternal” means that our hope is always in Jesus Christ. He is our hope because He gives eternal life to those who put their hope and faith in Him (1 Timothy 1:1; Titus 3:5-7). The old hymn, O God Our Help in Ages Past, states it simply and beautifully—Christian hope springs eternal because God is our hope and our eternal home.
O God our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.1
Another much revered hymn—My Hope is Built on Nothing Less—emphatically states that our hope is founded on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness:
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.2
The modern-day hymn In Christ Alone reminds us that it is in Christ Jesus alone that our hope is found:
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my Light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this Solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all;
Here in the love of Christ I stand.3
(Used with permission. See endnote #3.)
Because our hope is in Him, we look to His Word to strengthen our hope. The Bible is filled with verses on why we hope in the Lord and what we are to do with our hope. What follows are some of these verses.
Why We Hope In The Lord
Because He is the Hope of Israel
O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters. (Jeremiah 17:13)
Because He is the God of Hope
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13)
Because He is Our Hope
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope. (1 Timothy 1:1)
Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth. (Psalm 71:3-5)
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. (Psalm 39:7)
Because He is the Hope of Glory
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. (Colossians 1:26-28)
Because He is the Hope of Our Salvation
For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. (1 Thessalonians 5:7-11)
LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee. (Psalm 119:166-168)
Because Our Hope is in His Blood
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (1 Peter 1:18-21)
Because Our Hope is in His Resurrection
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5)
Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (1 Peter 1:21)
Because He Gives Us Hope Through His Grace
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)
Because of Our Hope in Him, He Hears Us
For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God. (Psalm 38:15)
Because Our Hope in Him Purifies Us
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:1-3)
Because Hope in Him is Our Anchor
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. (Hebrews 6:18-20)
Because Our Hope in Him Produces Faith
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
Because We Are Saved by Our Hope in Him
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. (Romans 8:24-25)
Because We Are Blessed by Our Hope in Him
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. (Jeremiah 17:7)
Because Our Hope in Him Strengthens Our Heart
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. (Psalm 31:24)
Because He is the Hope and Health of Our Countenance
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. (Psalm 42:11)
Because Our Hope in Him Makes Us Glad
The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. (Proverbs 10:28)
Because Our Hope in Him Makes Us Happy
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God. (Psalm 146:5)
Because Our Hope in Him Draws Us Near to God
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. (Hebrews 7:19)
Because He is Our Hope in the Last Days
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. (Joel 3:14-16)
Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil. (Jeremiah 17:17)
Because of Him, We Have Hope in Death
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. (Proverbs 14:32)
Because He Gives Us the Hope of Eternal Life
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:5-7)
Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour. (Titus 1:1-3)
Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel. (Colossians 1:4-5)
What We Are To Do With Our Hope
We Are to Set Our Hope in God
That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: (Psalm 78:7)
We Are to Hope in His Judgements
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. (Psalm 119:43-44)
We Are to Hope in His Word
They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word. (Psalm 119:74)
My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. (Psalm 119:81)
I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. (Psalm 119:147)
But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. (Acts 24:14-15
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4)
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. (Psalm 119:114)
I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. (Psalm 130:5)
We Are to Hope in His Mercy
Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. (Psalm 33:18-19)
The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. (Psalm 147:11)
It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. (Lamentations 3:22-26)
We Are to Hope and Wait Quietly For His Salvation
It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. (Lamentations 3:26)
We Are to Plow and Thresh With Hope
Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:10)
We Are to Hope in All Things With Love and Charity
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
We Are to Rejoice in Our Hope
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer. (Romans 12:12)
We Are Not to Be Ashamed of Our Hope
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. (Psalm 119:116)
For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. (Philippians 1:19-20)
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. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:5-6)
We Are to Let Our Hope Be Our Witness
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. (1 Peter 3:15)
We Are to Use Great Plainness of Speech as We Hope
For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech. (2 Corinthians 3:11-12)
We Are to Hope Patiently
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father. (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3)
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. (Romans 8:25)
We Are to Hope Continually
But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. (Psalm 71:14)
If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister. (Colossians 1:23)
We Are to Have One Hope, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism. (Ephesians 4:3-5)
We Are Not to Be Moved Away From Our Hope
If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister. (Colossians 1:23)
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12)
We Are to Rest in Our Hope of Him
I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. (Psalm 16:8-9)
For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope. (Acts 2:25-26)
We Are to Hope to the End
And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:11-12)
But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (Hebrews 3:6)
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:13)
Jesus Christ—Our Blessed Hope
Thus, the Bible assures believers that hope springs eternal from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In Christ alone, our hope is found. He is our hope in the days and months and years to come. We hope continually because He is our eternal home. We wait quietly, patiently, and unashamedly for Him—and only Him. He is our hope—our most blessed hope.
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. (Titus 2:13-15)
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Endnotes
- O God, Our Help In Ages Past, Isaac Watts, 1719. Public domain.
- My Hope is Built on Nothing Less, Edward Mote, 1834. Public domain.
- In Christ Alone, Keith Getty and Stuart Townsend, Copyright © 2002 Thankyou Music (PRS), (adm. worldwide at CapitolCMGPublishing.com excluding Europe which is adm. by Integritymusic.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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Well done WarrenB!