Expectation is Invitation

"One Year Bible" New Testament Passage
Romans 8:9-25

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. Romans 8:24-25 (NKJV)

Hope is one of our most valued possessions in Christ. Hope is what keeps us going. Hope is the solid, firm expectation of the good that is to come. It is the anchor of our souls.

When we have hope, we are able to endure anything. Without hope, it is hard to get out of bed. Hope gives us energy. The loss of hope drains us of motivation and the will to go on.

Scripture tell us that we are redeemed not only for the benefits that are ours NOW -- peace, joy, comfort, blessing -- we are also redeemed with view toward a FUTURE that cannot be dimmed, cannot be defeated, cannot be denied us.  It is a firm and secure hope of what lies ahead.

It is in this light that, a few verses later in Romans, we read the great words, "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28).  Hope holds on to the conviction that no matter how things may look right now, God is bringing good out of it. 

This is vitally important because when we live in hope, we are better prepared to receive that hope.  Our attitude paves the way.  It is in this sense that we often say: EXPECTATION IS INVITATION.  What you are expecting, you are also inviting.  So, if you expect to have difficulty, there is a sense in which you are inviting that difficulty.  If you are expecting God's blessing, you are in a better place to receive that blessing when it come.

So, let's live in hope.  When we do, we are really agreeing with God about our future.