People look to you, Faith Leader, for steadiness when they feel as if their lives are being tossed like a toy boat in the middle of the ocean. Seagoing vessels use an anchor to keep them steady in the midst of storms; God has given us an anchor to keep us secure through the tempests of life as well. The anchor that secures us is hope, but hope does not work alone. The force of faith depends on the power of love, and both faith and love spring from the strength of hope.
The Force of Love
Out of all of the attributes mentioned in the Word of God, there are three that will remain throughout eternity. They are faith, hope, and love. The Apostle Paul wrote, Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge [Greek- gnosis- science], it shall vanish away. For we know in part [portion], and we prophesy in part [portion]. But when that which is perfect [complete] is come, then that which is in part [portion] shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now [at the present time] we see through a glass, darkly [in a riddle] but then face to face [front to front] : now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth [remains] faith, hope, charity [love], these three; but the greatest of these is charity [love] . (1 Corinthians 13:8-13)
The Greek word that is translated greatest means largest. Faith, hope, and love are forces of the Spirit. There is no greater force than love because God is love!
It’s not coincidental that Paul’s famous chapter on love is between two chapters that deal with the gifts of the Spirit. If you want to flow in the gifts of the Spirit, you will have to be proficient in operating in the love of God.
The Force of Faith
Without faith, it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6) Faith is a force that brings the unseen into the seen. Faith allows the supernatural to intervene in the natural. Faith is the force by which you were born-again. Ephesians 2:8 tells us, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
The force of faith is mighty enough to move mountains in your life. Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. (Matthew 17:20)
Faith is a mighty influence, but it is energized to its fullest effect only when it is combined with love. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. (Galatians 5:6)
Faith is also dependent upon the force of hope. Faith can’t perform its function without hope. Hebrews 11:1 tells us Faith is the substance of things hoped for.
The Force of Hope
Hope doesn’t get much credit; it has even been sneered at and looked down upon. I’ve heard teaching over the years that dismissed it because “hope has no substance.” It’s almost as if many people of faith consider hope to be the baby sister of faith, but Paul equates it to faith in importance. Love is the greatest, but faith and hope fall right in line behind it.
The Greek word for hope means to anticipate, usually with pleasure; expectation, confidence. Hope is a confident expectation. Paul called God the God of hope— Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost . (Romans 15:13)
Hope is vital to living an abundant life of faith and love!Proverbs 13:12 warns us that Hope deferred maketh the heart sick. In other words, when people lose hope, something negative happens to their mental, emotional and eventually their physical makeup and well-being.
People who have lost hope are in a very dangerous position; they are susceptible to destruction when they encounter the inevitable storms of life. Their minds, wills, and emotions can be wounded; they may lose the desire to continue following their God-given purpose; they want to give up.
The Anchor in the Storm
Hope is an anchor for the soul. Hebrews 6:19 tells us, Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast When life drops thunder, lightning, winds, and rain upon the ship of your life, hope will keep you anchored in the positive expectation that God is faithful. Hope reminds you of God’s promise to Joshua— For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end [hope and a future]. (Jeremiah 29:11)
In short, hope is a positive expectation. Our anchor in times of trouble is that God’s got this—whatever the problem may be. Put the anchor of hope down and trust God regardless of the wind, the waves, the lightning, and the storm. There is a positive end to every situation with God!
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