Course 1 - Lesson 1: Biblical Faith and Hope

Faith pleases God! Faith in God is more than simple agreement or affirmation. It is a deep unwavering conviction and belief in Him. A trust so firmly rooted that it is not shaken despite the circumstance. Everything with God begins with faith. We must remember that He is not limited by any circumstance or situation. God has never failed to perform His perfect will. When the angel Gabriel announced the coming messiah to Mary, he declared “with God nothing shall be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)

Biblical hope is much more than wishful thinking. It is a confident expectation and anticipation of a future event. This is precisely what Peter expressed when he wrote calling us “strangers and pilgrims.” (1 Peter 2:11) Our hope extends beyond the world that we live in today. Lifting up our eyes, we clearly see a home not of this world.

Faith is for the immediate present, while hope pertains to the future.  Hope helps us transcend current difficult circumstances. Understanding that this life is temporal, and the future of the believer is eternal, is critical to navigating any hardship we face. God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah and let us know that His plan is for us to have a future full of hope!