This passage in Proverbs is telling us the difference between the hopes of the righteous and the hopes of the wicked. Those who are righteous are those with the Holy Spirit within, living a holy life with a strong belief in Jesus. Is this individual perfect? No. The wicked are searching only for what pleases them at the moment. The life of the wicked is a simple repeating cycle: a craving pops up and the craving is fed. Proverbs tells us that the righteous person's hopes will be fulfilled. They will have great joy. The expectations and wants of the wicked will not be fulfilled. Their wicked expectations lead to inevitable destruction.
2. Mark 9:23 Jesus said to him, "'All things are possible for one who believes."
This is a quote from the mouth of Jesus himself. He tells us that if you can find a way to believe, anything is possible. Jesus doesn't mince words or use slogans. He is telling us plainly that anything is possible. Yes, anything! With the Lord by our side we have nothing to fear, and can achieve anything. Dare to believe.
3. Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
In this passage from Isaiah we are once again comforted with the notion that God is always with us. We are commanded to not get upset, to not get afraid, but to recall in our minds that God is with us. This is an important thing to remember consciously, because many of us will read passages like this but then forget when we are out in the world. Every time you are faced with a struggle repeat in your mind "God is with me." Be aware it will not be comforting at first. But if you continue the pattern, soon you will find the words take on a deep meaning. You will feel calm in adversity. God tells us that he will strengthen us, help us, and uphold us. This is reason for great hope!
4. Romans 8:24 "For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?"
This passage in Romans says "For in this hope we were saved." This first part is explaining that hope is a person, it's Jesus. We hope in Jesus. We hope for something we don't currently see. Yet this hope keeps us firm. Hope is extremely powerful. Our trials and tribulations on this Earth are not easy. They are not easy at all. In fact they are sometimes incredibly difficult. Yet hope helps us through. Yet it also says, "who hopes for what he sees?" I believe this to be a reference to the unseen nature of God. We constantly hope and strive for God and Christ because we cannot actively reach and out take either. Yet we know they are there.
5. Proverbs 13:12 "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life."
This passage from Proverbs is fairly simple. When we lose hope it makes our heart sick. But when after a long time our desire, our hope is finally brought to fruition, it is a wondrous thing. It builds our hope. Our ultimate hope then is access to the tree of life in paradise, through the shed blood of Jesus. By way of this firm hope we have in Jesus, we believe and know, one day we will eat of the tree of life, and live forever.
