We have been considering how that we will “learn” as a result of studying the history of the righteous men and women and young people given us in the Bible. Romans 15:4 has been our guide. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

The Holy Scriptures bring us ‘comfort’. The word means, if I might put it in my own words, ‘a calling aside to encourage, strengthen and uplift.’ Such comforting imparts HOPE, the last word we wish to consider from this verse.

Here then is the third thing we learn from God’s Word. “That we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” What God plans for His people fills us with hope.

Here is the meaning of the word hope. “And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away,” Acts 27:20. The possibility of being saved was taken away from their hearts and minds. They had NO HOPE LEFT!

That is how it is with those who are not in Christ. Eph 2:12.

The Bible is full of hope for the one who is in Christ. Like the vine we are tied and secure and know that it is well with us. “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance,” Psalm 42:5.

“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,” Rom 15:13.

1. God is the source of hope.

2. Hope consists of joy and peace and faith.

3. God imparts hope by His Holy Spirit. He gives abundantly, ‘over and above’.