Max Lucado wrote a book titled, “Unshakable Hope.” I must confess that I have not read it, but I am captivated by the title of the book. This title is therefore not original to me. What makes our hope unshakable? How can our hope become “unshakable” in a shakable world? How do we maintain unshakable hope in a world that believes in what it sees than what is not seen? We live in a turbulent world; the vagaries and shifting scenes of our time, though temporary lends itself to physical realities than to the unseen realities of the future.
Unshakable hope means hope that is solid, steadfast, unwavering and enduring in the midst of the uncertainties of our world. Hope is an anchor; therefore it must anchor on something.
For hope to be unshakable it must rest on God, our solid rock. Unlike the vagaries of our world, God is immutable, steadfast and unchanging in nature (Psalm 102: 25-27). Paul says Christ in us is the hope of glory. When Christ fully dwells in our heart by faith then our hope will be unshakable.
Hope must abide in God’s word to be unshakable. God’s word abides forever. Isaiah declares that the flesh, just like the grass whither and fades away but the word of God abides forever (Isa. 40:6-8). The Psalmist hope rested on the word (Psalm 119:49).
Hope must lean on the faithfulness of God to remain unshakable. God is faithful. That is, he is dependable, reliable and trustworthy. He is who he says he is. He will do what he says he will do. Shedrach, Meshack and Abednego had unshakable hope in God. They believed God would deliver them from the fiery furnace. This was why they chose to suffer in the fire. And in honour of their hope they were miraculously delivered.
Unshakable hope must rest in the covenant promises of God. God’s promises are immutable. “So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary” (Hebrews 6:18-19 NLT).
Abraham had an unshakable hope. His hope looked up to God, beyond the realities around him. Paul writes this about Abraham’s hope, “Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this, he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises” (Romans 4:18-21 NLT).
Paul’s hope was unshakable, this is why he said, “… for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return” (2 Timothy 1:12 NLT).
Paul was very familiar with this word, “Stand fast” (1 Cor.16:13; Phil.4:1; 1 Thes.3:8; Eph.6:13). By this, he meant that we should be resolute in the Lord and in our faith. That is what “unshakable” hope means.
Contact:Pastoracukachi@gmail.com
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