Text: Hebrews 10:23 and others.
Paul often talked about/confessed his hope. He didn't think about it; he spoke it out of his mouth. When Agabus and others prophesied that he would be bound in Jerusalem and go to Rome, Paul spoke of that future event. He knew he would bring the gospel to a distant land.
Jesus spoke about his future death and resurrection. Hope is not always a positive event, at least not on the surface. Even though he faced hard times, he knew his purpose.
A number of people openly expressed their hope for healing. In Mark 5:21-43, Jairus confesses to Jesus that his daughter will be healed when he (Jesus) lays hands on her. In Verse 28, the woman with the issue of blood, confessed to herself that if she could only touch the hem of his garment, she'd be healed. When a messenger comes to Jairus telling him his daughter is dead, Jesus bolsters his hope by telling him not to be afraid, but to believe. He clung to those words of hope, and his daughter was raised from the dead.
None of these people denied their present circumstances. Hope deals with the future.
Confess what is promised and use what is given. When Jesus gave the disciples authority to heal the sick, they used it. Hold fast to your confession until the hope arrives. Once it arrives, you no longer need hope. Godly hope is based upon what is promised, not just because we want something.
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