Is it Possible for Hope to Disappoint Us?

　　The world’s systems, cultures, businesses, and relationships often disappoint us. In fact, we can even disappoint ourselves! When our hopes are dashed, we can easily begin to think there is no security in the world at all. Thankfully, those who depend upon the truths of Scripture can be assured God’s provision of hope does not disappoint us. Yet, it is possible for other kinds of hope to disappoint us when we depend upon things and people not in alignment with God’s plans and ways. When we trust in God, we can be assured it is not possible for His kind of hope to disappoint us. As we’ll discuss, it is possible to think our hope in God has disappointed us, but those conclusions stem from lies we believe. And we want to identify and then fight against those false beliefs.

　　

What Does 'Hope Does Not Disappoint Us' Mean?

The phrase “hope does not disappoint us” comes from Romans 5:5: “and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (NASB). The truth of this powerful verse is central to the powerful message of the Gospel, the Good News of how Jesus provided our salvation and made it possible for the Holy Spirit to indwell us.

　　Hope can be defined as confidence something will occur. It is an expectation and desire for something to happen. It includes a commitment of trust, of reliance. In the New Testament (NASB version), there are 73 verses containing the word “hope.” The kind of hope Christians enjoy brings security, joy, peace, and the ability to go through difficulties with faith in God’s love.

　　Many words have symbols that represent a word. When we think of love, the symbol is a heart. For faith, a cross. And what is the symbol for hope? The anchor. How appropriate. An anchor falls from a ship to the bottom of the sea. Because the anchor is heavy, it securely embeds itself in the seafloor and steadfastly prevents the ship from being “driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6 NASB). Our hope in God, like an anchor, secures us to the truths about God and His Word, even when we are being assailed by temptations and trials (James 1:2-7). That is the kind of hope God intended as He guided the biblical writers—a hope that does not disappoint us. A hope that is steadfast, reliable, and strong, regardless of the challenges of life.

　　Let’s look at some different ways this verse is translated to learn more fully what it means:

　　“We're not ashamed to have this confidence, because God's love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (God’s Word).

　　“Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (AMP)

　　“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (NIV).

　　As we continue, we will see how the word “shame” reveals significant meaning for the phrase “hope does not disappoint us.”

　　

What Is the Context of Romans 5:5?

The book of Romans was written by the Apostle Paul as the Holy Spirit inspired him. Paul wrote his letter most likely from Corinth, Greece, to the believers living in Rome, which at that time was the greatest city in the world, having at least one million inhabitants and some believe up to four million. The context of Romans 5:5 is revealed by the overall theme of Paul’s letter. His goal was to assure the large population of Christians that their salvation was based upon Jesus’ sacrificial death, not through following Jewish rules (including Old Testament laws like circumcision). That’s why the most often used words in this letter are righteousness, faith, law, all, and sin.

　　All of this is directly connected with what Paul writes in Romans 5:5. His main point is that their hope—a kind of hope that does not disappoint—is not based on anything except what Jesus had already accomplished through his death and resurrection.

　　Here is the passage (vs. 1-5) that contains essential information for the context.

　　“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (italics added, NASB).

　　To understand the full context, we must pay attention to the “Therefore” of verse 1. As many have already pointed out, when you see the word “therefore,” you should wonder what it is “there for.” What is Paul referring to previously that he now will continue talking about in Chapter 5? The answer is Abraham’s hope in God. For the 25 verses of Chapter 4, Paul uses the Old Testament example of Abraham who was not declared righteous because of what he did but because he believed what God told him. Abraham was circumcised only after he declared his faith and hope in God (Romans 4:3). Then Paul writes,

　　“Now to the one who works, the wages are not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness” (Romans 4:4-5 NASB).

　　But what does this have to do with “hope does not disappoint”? Abraham hoped for many years for the fulfillment of a child that God promised to him and Sarah. Yes, he “hoped” imperfectly (another son from a servant was born) but he “kept the hope”—he continued to believe until Isaac was born. Abraham did not see himself as a fool even though other people most likely shamed him for waiting on God—for a very long time!

　　And that word “shame” is important because the word “disappoint” in Romans 5:5 can also be translated “shame.” In the NIV, the wording is “And hope does not put us to shame.” The word “disappoint” or “shame” is the Greek word: καταισχύνει (kataischynei) meaning “disgrace or put to the blush.” (Have you ever blushed because of embarrassment or shame? That’s the idea.)

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　　In other words, Paul is saying, “Believers, don’t be afraid God won’t keep His promises to help you during your trials. Be confident in His provision of present help and future eternal life. You don’t need to feel disappointed nor feel ashamed when there are delays. Plus, any shame people put on you doesn’t have to bother you. God will come through for you because your confidence—your hope—is not based on you doing things perfectly or life going exactly as you plan. God has declared you righteous because of your faith in Jesus’ provision of salvation through dying on the cross and rising from the dead.”

　　

What Is the Difference between Worldly Hope and Biblical Hope?

Even when we have the hope of God’s help and eternal life, we are still tempted to trust in worldly hope. The difference between worldly hope and biblical hope is made plain in Romans 5:1, 3-5. It is one of the other reasons for the “therefore.” Read it again…

　　“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, … we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (italics added).

　　Worldly hope depends upon people treating us well, enjoying a fulfilling job, quick solutions to challenges, relief from pain, being well respected, and many other earthly, temporary expectations. God is out of the picture. Those things promise a transitory hope that doesn’t last into eternity. That’s the opposite of what Paul says to focus on: “we celebrate in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2).

　　That’s why God’s perspective is different. Worldly hope is fleeting based on figuring out things on our own. Biblical hope comes from an eternal perspective built on two primary truths: the love of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. Both of those are a part of Romans 5:1-5. Look again at verses 5:

　　“…the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (vs. 5). God’s kind of love knows what is best for us and provides the strength we need to trust Him through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Worldly hope hates tribulations, but godly hope welcomes tribulations because they serve God’s purposes of His glory being spotlighted and our sanctification (James 1:2-4).

　　

Can Hope Ever Disappoint Us?

Unfortunately, hope can disappoint us…when it’s the wrong kind of hope. The problem is people can easily use the word “hope” thinking their expectation is a biblical kind of hope, but it’s actually a worldly hope. One easy way to spot the difference is when we are “wishing” for something and calling it to hope, but the desire is not accurately based on the truths of Scripture.

　　Any of us can think incorrectly, often without taking the time and effort to evaluate whether our conclusion is based on God’s love and an awareness of the Holy Spirit within us to strengthen us for anything we might face.

　　For instance, we know God is love but if our definition of love is “God will never let anything bad happen to me,” then we are going to be disappointed. God’s love should be defined as, “choosing the best for a person.” Sometimes, “the best” is actually facing problems, sickness, and challenges that stretch our faith and make it grow stronger. Again, that is the point of Romans 5:1-5. If we summarize it, those verses say, we should celebrate our tribulations, knowing tribulation brings perseverance…then proven character…then hope…the kind of hope that does not disappoint.

　　We must study the Scriptures and avoid taking a verse(s) out of context or misquoting a verse because we can’t remember all of it. Or we hear someone give an explanation, but we don’t check it out ourselves. That’s when we are potentially setting ourselves to hope in false assumptions and then experience disappointment.

　　God does promise us that we can place our hope in Him. Our foundational truth must be that God has promised our hope in Him will not be disappointed. Therefore, if we are disappointed, we should evaluate the basis for our original expectation and see if it aligns with Scripture. Romans 5:1-5 tells us hope based on the love of God and the assurance of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit will not put us to shame. What joy to trust in a faithful Heavenly Father.

　　For more on strengthening hope, see my books: Pure-Hearted: The Blessings of Living Out God’s Glory and Partly Cloudy with Scattered Worries: Finding Peace in All Kinds of Weather