MARCH 1

Defining Hope Biblically

Bible Reading: Romans 8:18-25

In his book, “Hope Again,” Chuck Swindoll wrote, “Hope is something as important to us as water is to a fish, as vital as electricity is to a light bulb, as essential as air is to a jumbo jet. Hope is basic to life…Take away our hope, and our world is reduced to something between depression and despair… hope is more than wishful thinking.  Hope is a vital necessity of life–a gift that God wants to give to you. And in a world that regularly writes dreams off as foolish and drains the hope from the heart with dark pessimism (Biblical hope) “is a voice crying in the wilderness.”

Indeed, we have a desperate need for hope, but not just the ordinary kind. Many of our hopes are more of the wishing and hoping variety.  We hope for things.  Like, I hope the weather will be nice tomorrow.  Or, I hope this COVID pandemic will end soon.  Or, I hope I’ll get that new job, or new house, or a new friend, etc. etc. etc.  Webster defines hope as a “desire accompanied by anticipation or expectation.”  That’s how we commonly use the term.  The problem is there’s little certainty associated with most of the things we hope for.  

Biblical hope, on the other hand, has no measure of uncertainty associated with it.  Vine’s Expository Dictionary defines the term “elpis” (i.e. “hope”) this way: “in the New Testament, “favorable and confident expectation…It has to do with the unseen and the future.”  Biblical hope has to do with possessing a confident expectation regarding some unseen future reality.  Romans 8:24-25 speaks to this, “For in this hope we are saved.  Now hope that is seen is not hope.  For who hopes for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”

Hope is an attitude.  It is a way of thinking about things which affects our whole being; our mind, our will, and our emotions. This Biblical hope is well founded on the “God of Hope.”  God, being eternal, knowing the end from the beginning, has no need for hope, yet He is well able to impart hope to His hope-needy creatures (Romans 15:13).  Because He is faithful, we can count on Him to do all He has promised.  His Word is true.  The Scriptures include countless promises pertaining to the believer in Christ, we can stand on them with the confident expectation that each will be fulfilled.  “Christ Jesus (is) our hope” and the focal point of our hope is His return for us (1 Timothy 1:1).  The “Spirit of Promise” is “the guarantee of our inheritance.”  He is well able to “open the eyes of your hearts” so you will “know what is the hope to which he has called you” (Ephesians 1:13-14, 18). 

Most would agree the days in which we live are characterized by a lot of uncertainty.  We have our own personal struggles and trials, yet there is also a growing palpable tension in our country, evident in the divisive climate and drastic changes we’ve all experienced.  If our vision is restricted to the here and now, we will hunger for hope.  But if we look to God, who is faithful, and His Word, which is true, we can possess both “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.”   The uncertainty of these days has opened a door of unprecedented opportunity for God’s people, being filled with hope, to bear witness to Jesus (1 Peter 3:15)!  He is our shining hope!

Biblical hope is a confident expectation regarding some unseen future reality.

Heavenly Father, in the pursuit of earth bound hopes we’ve had our hearts broken way too many times.  Indeed we are prone to wander, seal our hearts to Thy courts above.  As we look to the glorious future, You’ve graciously worked to prepare for us, grant us that we might not be distracted on our journey.  By the Spirit, may our hearts rejoice, being filled up with the confident expectation of the future blessings that lie ahead.  May we be so filled with hope, that other hope-needy folks might see You in us and find their way to You, the God of Hope.  Amen.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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