Finding Hope in the Sovereignty of God
The concept of finding hope in the sovereignty of God is deeply rooted in biblical teachings and has been a cornerstone of Christian theology. The Bible encourages believers to place their hope in God, emphasizing His role as the source of hope and salvation. Romans 15:13 speaks of God as the "God of hope," who fills believers with joy and peace in believing, enabling them to abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit [1].
The sovereignty of God is a theme that runs throughout Scripture, providing a foundation for the hope that believers have. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, hope in God is rooted in His promises and is a work of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13; Galatians 5:5) [2]. This hope is not just a wish but a confident expectation based on God's character and faithfulness. Psalm 39:7 and 1 Peter 1:21 are cited as examples of placing hope in God [2].
In the Christian tradition, hope is closely tied to the concept of assurance. Assurance is described as being produced by faith, made full by hope, and confirmed by love (Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 6:11, 19; 1 John 3:14, 19; 4:18) [3]. The full assurance of faith is characterized by an unwavering conviction in the truth of God's revelations, leaving no room for doubt (Hebrews 10:22) [5].
John Gill's commentary on Psalms highlights the importance of trusting in the Lord and waiting upon Him. In his interpretation of Psalm 130:6, Gill encourages believers to hope in the Lord, citing the forgiveness and salvation available through Him [6]. Similarly, Matthew Henry's commentary on Romans 15:13 emphasizes the significance of addressing God as the "God of hope" in prayer, using this attribute to encourage faith [7].
The biblical basis for hope in God's sovereignty is further underscored by the numerous references to trusting in God and waiting upon Him throughout the Psalms. For example, Psalm 146:5 declares that "Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help" [8]. John Gill's commentary on this verse notes that this happiness comes from having the God of Jacob, the Messiah, as one's help [8].
The Reformed and Baptist traditions, as represented by John Gill's commentaries, emphasize the importance of placing hope in God rather than in the creature or any earthly enjoyment. In his commentary on Psalm 78:7, Gill notes that believers should set their hope in God, who is the only proper object of hope and confidence, particularly in Christ, where mercy and redemption are found [9].
The connection between hope and the sovereignty of God is also reflected in the concept of waiting upon God. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists numerous biblical references that encourage waiting upon God for various blessings, including salvation, guidance, and the fulfillment of His promises [4]. This waiting is not passive but is characterized by active trust and expectation.
Sources
- Romans “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit. -- Romans 15:13”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hope — In God -- Ps 39:7; 1Pe 1:21. In Christ -- 1Co 15:19; 1Ti 1:1. In God's promises -- Ac 26:6,7; Tit 1:2. In the mercy of God -- Ps 33:18. Is the work of the Holy Spirit -- Ro 15:13; Ga 5:5. Obtained through Grace. -- 2Th 2:16. The word. -- Ps 119:81. Patience and comfort of the Scriptures. -- Ro 15:4. The gospel. -- Col 1:5,23. Faith. -- Ro 5:1,2; Ga 5:5. The result of experience -- Ro 5:4. A better hope brought in by Christ -- Heb 7:19. Described as Good. -- 2Th 2:16. Lively. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure and steadfast. -- Heb 6:19. Gladdening. -- Pr 10:28. Blessed. -- Tit ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Assurance — Produced by faith -- Eph 3:12; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 10:22. Made full by hope -- Heb 6:11,19. Confirmed by love -- 1Jo 3:14,19; 4:18. Is the effect of righteousness -- Isa 32:17. Is abundant in the understanding of the gospel -- Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5. Saints privileged to have, of Their election. -- Ps 4:3; 1Th 1:4. Their redemption. -- Job 19:25. Their adoption. -- Ro 8:16; 1Jo 3:2. Their salvation. -- Isa 12:2. Eternal life. -- 1Jo 5:13. The unalienable love of God. -- Ro 8:38,39. Union with God and Christ. -- 1Co 6:15; 2Co 13:5; Eph 5:30; 1Jo 2:5; 4:13. Peace with ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Waiting Upon God — As the God of providence -- Jer 14:22. As the God of salvation -- Ps 25:5. As the Giver of all temporal blessings -- Ps 104:27,28; Ps 145:15,16. For Mercy. -- Ps 123:2. Pardon. -- Ps 39:7,8. The consolation of Israel. -- Lu 2:25. Salvation. -- Ge 49:18; Ps 62:1,2. Guidance and teaching. -- Ps 25:5. Protection. -- Ps 33:20; 59:9,10. The fulfillment of His word. -- Hab 2:3. The fulfillment of His promises. -- Ac 1:4. Hope of righteous by faith. -- Ga 5:5. Coming of Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 1Th 1:10. Is good -- Ps 52:9. God calls us to -- Zep 3:8. Exhortat”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 130:6: Let Israel hope in the Lord,.... The psalmist having himself hope in the Lord and in his word, through a view of forgiveness with him, exhorts and encourages others to do so likewise, even every Israelite indeed; and such may comfortably hope in him for salvation, which was designed, contrived, promised, and now wrought out for sinners, the chief of sinners, and to be had freely; and the Gospel declaration is, that whosoever believes in Christ shall be saved; as well as for the remission of sin, which God has promised in covenant; proclaimed in Christ, whom he has se”
- Romans (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Romans 15:13: Here is another prayer directed to God, as the God of hope; and it is, as the former (Rom 15:5, Rom 15:6), for spiritual blessings: these are the blest blessings, and to be first and chiefly prayed for. I. Observe how he addresses himself to God, as the God of hope. It is good in prayer to fasten upon those names, titles, and attributes of God, which are most suitable to the errand we come upon, and will best serve to encourage our faith concerning it. Every word in the prayer should be a plea. Thus should the cause be skilfully ordered, and the mouth filled with”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 146:5: Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help,.... The God of the patriarch Jacob, the Messiah, who is that God that fed him all his life, the Angel that redeemed him from all evil, with whom in the form of a man he wrestled, when he had power over God, and saw him face to face; the God of the posterity of Jacob, the Angel of Jehovah's presence, who went before them by day and night in the wilderness, and saved and carried them all the days of old; the God of spiritual Jacob, or Israel, the church of the chosen, redeemed, and called ones; the God of every Israe”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 78:7: That they might set their hope in God,.... And not in the creature, nor in any creature enjoyment; see Job 31:24, the Lord is the only proper object of hope and confidence; Christ, who is truly God, is the hope of his people, and in him they place it, as they have great reason to do; since with him there is mercy, the mercy of God is proclaimed in him; and with him there is redemption, which includes the blessings of peace, pardon, and righteousness; and a plenteous one, a redemption from all sin; and it is the Gospel which points out these things in Christ, and encou”