Q:Why is the word "hope" used instead of "assurance?" Hope to many means "we wish" etc.

A:As Christians, when we place our trust in Christ, and the truth of God's Word, our hope in life is more than optimism or "a wish" for a better future that might, or might not, work its way into reality. When someone places their hope in God they can "be assured" that theirs is not an empty hope, but rather looks expectantly toward the future good hoped for. Hebrews 11:1 describes such hope as the essence of a Christ-followers faith. It says, "Faith is being sure of what we hoped for and certain of what we do not see."

When it comes to placing our hope in God and His Word, we can be assured that we will not be disappointed. Romans 5:5 says, "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

Rather than being let down or disappointed "by a wish", that is "wishy washy" - we can be confident when our hope is our God who loves us. Isaiah 40:31 says, "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."