I always thought that biblical hope had its foundation in eschatology...and I believe that it STILL does but somewhere, somehow that eschatological hope must be "lived" for it to be of any real spiritual value to us as we sojourn in this world.
The concept of hope as found and presented in the bible is far deeper than the hope that the world has. It is a belief based on the certitude of promise, or more poignantly, in the One who promised. I have "hoped" for many things that never came to pass in my life. Other times, the outcome far exceeded any expectation that I might have had...but the key was NOT in the hoping for myself (subjective desire) but in an objective promise of unconditional love and protection.
Here is the key...I NEVER said that objective hope means that all of my desires will be fulfilled, rather that objective hope means that I believe that the object of my faith (and hope), namely God the Father as revealed in His Son Jesus Christ, seeks only what is best for me at any given time...it doesn't have to be my desire or whatever is "fair" but WHAT I NEED (too often their is REAL confusion between want and need!!--the late great singer/songwriter Rich Mullins nailed it when he penned the lyric, "I'd rather fight You for something I don't really want, then to take what You give that I need" from the song "Hold Me Jesus"). Jesus entreats us to "seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness..." and that other things will be added to us as well (Matt 6:33). Clearly, the emphasis is on the "seeking" and not the "adding"--and it is ONLY when we are seeking His Kingdom and righteousness that we will be able look past ourselves to see what God is doing (Paul employs the same emphasis in Romans 12:1-3 by suggesting that we will only be able to discern God's will for us when we are totally giving ourselves to ongoing transformation by making ourselves "living sacrifices" holy and pleasing to God).
All of that SOUNDS great...but what might it look like, well...LIVED OUT? Ah Hah...the power of the picture!! If you have seen the, now aging, Lord of the Rings movies you will be familiar with the character of Gollum who is a type of "anti-hero" before the series is over. Gollum begins life as "riverfolk" or a "halfling" who is quite a lot like the main characters who are "hobbits.," As a halfling he is called Smeogal, and the story of the transformation of Smeagol to Gollum is a fascinating study (it is seen primarily in the opening moments of the Return of the King movie). In a nutshell Smeagol is transformed into the creature Gollum because of the insidious effect of the ring of power which he obtains by killing a halfling friend. His desire to possess the ring of power causes him to slowly forget who and what he was and he becomes the hideous creature Gollum who is completely absorbed by the power of the ring and the desire to possess it. Gollum, in an attempt to gain the ring back, offers to guide Frodo and Sam to Mordor so that the ring can be destroyed...in a poignant, and telling, moment in The Two Towers movie, Sam berates Golum for his behavior, in turn Frodo belittle Sam for his ill treatment of Gollum...Sam retorts that there is "no good" left in the creature...that he has been so consumed by the ring that he is now only evil. Frodo explains to Sam that he has to have "hope" for Gollum, no matter how bad the creature appears to be, when Sam asked why Frodo bluntly acknowledges, "I have to believe that he can come back." (an admission of the effect that the ring is taking on Frodo himself)...for Frodo to continue on in his quest he HAS to believe that no matter what else happens...the best is yet to come.
I believe, that this scene perfectly depicts biblical hope. When it appears that all else has failed and when things just are not looking as if they are EVER going to turn out for the good...we must continue in our hope that, as Sam says, "there is some good left in this world, and it is worth fighting for."
As long as faith and love exist...hope will have a home, and will can know that regardless of our present circumstance...the best is yet to come. I believe, help my unbelief!
