The Mechanic of Gratitude: Hope

Introduction

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 “16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” The Apostle Paul

The idea of celebrating thanksgiving everyday is a biblical one. Clearly, not everything in life is not good or something that we are instinctively inclined to be grateful about.

Transition

How do we give thanks in everything? The same Apostle Paul helps us to answer that question in his letter to the Romans.

Illumination

Necessity of Hope, 18-25

Comparison, 18

Romans 8:18 NKJV

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

The word translated suffering carries the idea of experiences or passions whether good or bad

The word translated suffering is translated in a negative light in the New Testament because the experiences or passions of this life are negative when compared to those of the next life. Or, as Paul says, they are “not worthy to be compared”.

Expectation, 19

Romans 8:19 NKJV

19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

There is a definite sense of looking and waiting here

Deliverance, 20-25

Romans 8:20–23 NKJV

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

Life can be filled with futility (20), bondage, and corruption (21)

Life can be filled with pain, 22. We hope the pain is producing something but the futility mention in 20 can make that seem improbable.

Life can be filled with longing for deliverance even for believers, 23

The longing for deliverance is contrasted with statements of hope. What is hope?

Definition of Hope

Hope

The Confident Expectation of Good

Condition of Hope, 24-25

Romans 8:24–25 NKJV

24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Hope is the basis of our salvation

Hope is necessarily delayed and eagerly awaited

Conclusion

Hope is the mechanical “how to” of gratitude. Not everything in life is good. Somedays, nothing in life is good. We want change or we want out. Hope acknowledges the current subpar status and promises both change and deliverance, making gratitude possible. I can literally be grateful for the bad things because I know they will come to an end.

Application

Hope requires us to make a realistic focus adjustment. It is not a matter of denying an undeniable reality that is bad. It is a matter of acknowledging that reality and balancing it with the undeniable reality that this reality will both change and end. We must shift our focus to the future and look toward it even as we navigate through the present.