The Bible teaches several lessons about hope. By its very nature, hope goes with expectations. This also means that every time we exercise hope, we set up ourselves for either fulfillment or frustration – fulfillment when what we hope for comes through, and frustration when our expectations are dashed. What we experience out of the two is strictly a function of what we hope for or who we put our hope on. For example, Psalm 20:7-8 describes the disastrous experience of those who put their trust in chariots and horses. Psalm 62:10 also warns of another thing that should not be made the foundation of our hope. “If riches increase, do not set your heart on them”, it warns. Finally, Psalm 146:3 says: “Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help”. Putting hope in horses, chariots, silver, gold, princes, or human beings generally is recipe for disappointment and failure.
The hope of a believer is enduring, this is because it is never in things or mere mortals. Paul did not situate the hope of the believers in any of the things listed previously. Were it to be on any of those, it would be a failing hope. Rather, he said that our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ is our hope. Jesus who died and rose to live forever more is our hope! This means the hope of the believers is unfailing, because Christ remains eternally victorious. He is the Sun of righteousness; when you fix your gaze on Him all shadows will disappear. Money may lose its value, princes may lose their throne, and trusted friends may disappoint; but Jesus remains the constant help that cannot move.