What the Bible Says About Hope

Hope is powerful. To hope, according to Merriam-Webster, means to cherish a desire with anticipation. To look forward to a specific desire.

Hope plays a major role in the Christian walk as we anticipate eternal life with our Lord. We long for good things in our daily life as well. We hope for a happy marriage, a better life for our kids and a positive outcome in our work endeavors. Being confident in the love of God fuels this hope in us. We believe that God is in control and has good things in store – in this life and after.

Hope in God

Foundational Bible verses about hope are those based in our hope in God. We agree with the psalmist and others in the Bible who stake their claim of hope in God’s character and goodness. Hope in God is a hope that will never disappoint.

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.

— Psalm 33:18, NIV

May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

— Psalm 33:22, NIV

As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.

— Psalm 71:14, NIV

I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.

— Psalm 130:5, NIV

The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

— Psalm 147:11, NIV

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

— Psalm 42:11, NIV

We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

— 1 Thessalonians 1:3, NIV)

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

— Matthew 11:28, NIV

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.

— Psalm 119:114, NIV

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.

— Psalm 31:24, NIV

But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

— Micah 7:7, NIV

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

— Psalm 25:5, NIV

"But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him."

— Jeremiah 17:7, NIV

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

— Psalm 62:5-6, NIV

That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

— 1 Timothy 4:10, NIV

But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.

— Psalm 39:7, NIV

For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.

— Psalm 71:5, NIV

Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God.

— Psalm 146:5, NIV

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

— 1 Timothy 6:17, NIV

My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.

— Psalm 119:81, NIV

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

— Psalm 43:5, NIV

"In his name the nations will put their hope."

— Matthew 12:21, NIV

Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

— 1 Peter 1:21, NIV

And I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

— Acts 24:15, NIV

Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

— Psalm 78:7, NIV

The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the heavens will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.

— Joel 3:16, NIV

Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.

— Psalm 130:7, NIV

You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor.

—Job 11:18-19, NIV

The Role of Hope in the Christian Life

Hope is a natural product of the Christian life . Being aware that God is at work and has our best interest at heart can only add hope to our lives. Hope helps us through hard times and increases joy when life is going well.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

— Hebrews 11:1, NIV

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

— Romans 5:3-4, NIV

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

— 1 Peter 1:3, NIV

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

— 1 Corinthians 13:6-7, NIV

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

— Romans 15:4, NIV

For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.

— Galatians 5:5, NIV

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

— Romans 5:5, NIV

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

— Hebrews 6:19a, NIV

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.

— 2 Corinthians 3:12, NIV

Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.

— Zechariah 9:12, NIV

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

— 1 Peter 3:15, NIV

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

— Romans 12:12, NIV

Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

— Proverbs 24:14, NIV

The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

— Proverbs 10:28, NIV

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

— Proverbs 23:18, NIV

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."

— Romans 4:18, NIV

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

— Proverbs 13:12, NIV

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

— Deuteronomy 31:6 , NIV

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

— 1 Peter 5:10 , NIV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

— Romans 15:13, NIV

Hope of Eternal Life

Our expectation of eternal life – experiencing the hope of the glory of God – gives Christians perspective on how to live our life while we’re here on earth. This hope colors our experiences and how we interact with people. It fuels us and gives our life more meaning.

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming

— 1 Peter 1:13, NIV

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people

— Ephesians 1:18, NIV

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful

— Hebrews 10:23, NIV

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently

— Romans 8:24-25, NIV

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness — in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time

— Titus 1:1-2, NIV

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory

— Colossians 1:27, NIV

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away

— Revelation 21:4, NIV

So that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life

— Titus 3:7, NIV

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet

— 1 Thessalonians 5:8, NIV

While we wait for the blessed hope — the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ

— Titus 2:13, NIV

But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory

— Hebrews 3:6, NIV

However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" — the things God has prepared for those who love him

— 1 Corinthians 2:9, NIV

The faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel

— Colossians 1:5, NIV

Reasons to Hope

God’s steadfast love gives us hope for our daily life. Even if a situation looks bleak, it is never hopeless. Here’s why:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future

— Jeremiah 29:11, NIV

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus

— Philippians 1:6, NIV

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand

— Isaiah 41:10, NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose

— Romans 8:28, NIV

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal

— 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, NIV

The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing

— Zephaniah 3:17, NIV

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us

— Romans 8:18, NIV

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness

— Lamentations 3:21-23, NIV

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life

— John 3:16, NIV

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid

— John 14:27, NIV

Hope for the Poor

At Compassion International, we are called to do everything we can to make a difference for children living in poverty. We are full of hope as we see changed lives every day and meditate on the truth of God’s heart for the poor. We are full of hope in this fight against extreme poverty.

But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish

— Psalm 9:18, NIV

So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth

— Job 5:16, NIV

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