Hebrews 11"1 says "Faith is the substance of things hoped for. . . ." Faith has a subtance to it. It is not "blind" as many would suppose. Those who lean upon Jesus have found faith to be a substantial confidence that undergirds our confident behavior. The hope that faith leans toward also is "substantial". Romans 5:5 says, "And this hope will not disappoint. . ." (emphasis mine). The assumption is that there is a kind of hope that might disappoint or not carry the weight of "this hope." The kind of hope the Bible speaks of here is one that is carved out of suffering, refined and built into the character resulting in confidence that has been often reaffirmed by seeing God work through tough times, through seemingly impossible circumstances (see Romans 5:3-4). This hope is substantial. It has reached out and found something often in the reaching.
The reason I say this is that the hope of the true disciple of Jesus is "substance". It is quite different from the wishful thinking of the world’s brand of hope. Hope, like love, has been hijacked by the world and watered down to little more than a sentiment- a feeling. But, Christians should know that love- the love that Jesus demonstrated and commanded- has grit, commitment, unconditionality, and sacrifice written all over it. It is in "for the long haul" and cares little about the "loveliness of the loved" but is based more on the "content of the heart of the lover." Yet, song after song waters love down to the emotion- romantic or sentimental- not much else there. The Christian experiences something more from Christ. As a result, the Christian lives more because of Christ.
The same is true with hope. The watered down modifiers we often hear about hope include: "a glimmer" and "a hint." We hear people say, "there’s still a glimmer of hope for him" or "there’s still a hint of hope for her." I would contend that such hope is not truly hope at all. It is hoping for hope. It is grasping for reasons to hope rather than reaching from the reasons we have had to hope in the first place. It is not based upon the history of hope that has been given, the taste of hope constantly in the mouth of those who experience it on a daily basis. When we say, "We hope for better things" it is because "We were given this hope when we were saved" (Romans 8:24 NLT). It has lingered with us ever since that time and continues to pop its head up at every juncture requiring prayer and dependence upon God.
Tommy Walker wrote a song that begins, "I have a hope. I have a future. I have a destiny that is yet awaiting me. My life’s not over. A new beginning has just begun. I have a hope. I have a hope." I love the lyrics. It speaks of something that is already our possession. It is smeared all over the soul of those who have trusted in Christ and experienced the assurance of the Holy Spirit in their life. No glimmers or hints here; just pure, unadulterated, experience-based, Spirit-given hope. Proverbially, I "can take it to the bank and cash it." It’s the real thing.