Hope is the essence of our faith. If we do not have hope we cannot have faith and viceversa. Faith and hope complement each other, they need each other, they cannot do without one another. To have faith is to expect (hope) God to perform that which you asked of Him. The Word of God says that:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. (Heb. 11:1).
You see from above mentioned Scripture that it is an absolute requirement for hope to have faith. Without faith hope is nothing, for hope has its basis in faith. If you have faith in God, you will have the hope and the trust that He will give you that which you have asked of Him. If you want something from God, you need to trust Him and that means to have faith that He will perform on your behalf. You need to know that:
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”(Heb.11:6)
This is very important friends. If you come to God wavering or not really believing that He will grant you your petition, you’d better think twice. You will not get what you have asked for because you do not trust Him. Only and only if you trust in Him, will he turn His ear to you and grant you your petition. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;”(Heb. 10:23)
If you are in need of faith just praise God. Praise brings God on the scene, it enlightens your heart. To praise God will give you the confidence that He is trustworthy, and that is what you need. To praise Him gives you hope, the hope needed for the fulfillment of His promises in your life.
But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more”(Ps 71:14). When you do not know how to praise God, go take a look into the Bible and look up His promises, miracles and His blessings. You will find there countless Scriptures that will help you to praise God. Look for example for Scriptures that speak of God’s miracles such as Psalm 106. Praise Him reading this Psalm.Quote those miracles aloud while praising Him. In this way you will raise up the hope in God you need. “That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.”(Ps 78:7).
To praise God by using His Words and quoting His miracles has a a twofold meaning. On the one hand when you praise Him quoting His miracles, it will give you faith and hope. On the other hand you learn what commandments He requires of you in order for Him to give you the same miracles as in the Bible or other miracles in your life. By studying the Word, by quoting His Word in praise you will learn so much about God and when you do, you will become more confident that he can be absolutely trusted.
Sometimes our faith is tested. Faith is refined by fire. This fire is tribulations which may and most probably will, come our way. “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”(Rom 5:3-5).
When God tests our faith, all He wants is for us to rely on Him. We do this by enduring and waiting patiently upon Him in hope. The more our faith is tested, the more hope we will have that He will take us out of the situation. The more you hope that He will do so, the stronger your faith will be.
Even if things look impossible, even if the outlook on the situation seems utterly black, you need to maintain your hope up because God has said so. “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”(Heb.6:12). If we maintain our ground in hope and faith, He will give us the promises He has given to us.
How do we hope? By expecting that God would fulfill his word. “Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope”(Ps.119:49).