Hope That Endures – Walking Forward in God’s Strength
Text: Romans 5:3–5 "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
“To break this down: endurance produces hope to walk forward with the power of the Holy Spirit.”
This passage shows that true hope is not fragile—it’s forged in trials, strengthened by endurance, and anchored in God’s love.
Introduction: There comes a point in every journey of growing when we must decide whether to carry the lessons of the past into the future—or let the past carry us. The final step in is walking forward with endurance, grounded in the hope that only God can provide.
Enduring hope is a steadfast and unwavering confidence in God’s promises that sustains us through trials, sorrows, and uncertainties. It is not based on circumstances, emotions, or human strength, but on the unchanging character of God and the certainty of His Word. Enduring hope keeps us anchored when life feels overwhelming, enabling us to persevere with faith and courage until God’s purposes are fulfilled.
"Enduring hope is not found in our ability to hold it all together, but in God's unfailing power to carry us when we cannot walk alone."
There’s a story about a long-distance runner named Derek Redmond, who competed in the 1992 Olympics. Midway through his 400-meter race, Derek tore his hamstring. He collapsed in pain, his Olympic dream shattered. Medical personnel rushed toward him, but he waved them off. He was determined to finish.
What happened next captured the world’s attention. From the stands, his father broke through security, ran onto the track, and wrapped his arms around Derek. Together, father and son hobbled the remaining distance—step by painful step. Derek didn’t finish first. But he finished. And he didn’t finish alone.
That image is a beautiful picture of hope that endures—not because the pain stops, but because someone stronger walks with us through it. That’s what God does when our strength gives out. He doesn't yell at us from the sidelines to “run faster.” He steps onto the track of our lives, throws His arms around us, and says, “Let’s finish this together.”
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength...” —Isaiah 40:31
When you feel too weak to continue, remember: your endurance doesn’t come from gritting your teeth—it comes from leaning into the strength of your Father, who never lets go.
Four Truths About Enduring Hope:
1. Hope Is Not a Feeling—It’s a Foundation
Biblical hope is not wishful thinking. It’s the confident expectation that God will do what He promised, even when we can’t yet see it.
“But those who hope in the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles.”
— Isaiah 40:31
This Means:
• Hope is not based on emotions: Feelings rise and fall with circumstances, but biblical hope is anchored in God’s unchanging character and promises.
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19).
Our hope does not depend on whether life feels good or bad, but on the certainty of God’s Word.
• Hope rests on Christ, not on circumstances: The Bible never defines hope as “wishful thinking” or “positive emotions.” It defines hope as a confident expectation rooted in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
“Praise be…! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).
Christ’s victory makes hope a solid foundation, not a fleeting mood.
• Hope strengthens endurance: Because it’s a foundation, hope enables us to stand when storms come.
“Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame” (Romans 5:3–5).
Unlike feelings, which change daily, hope in Christ equips us to endure hardship.
• Hope builds our future perspective: Hope points us beyond the present moment to God’s eternal promises.
“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all… But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently” (Romans 8:24–25).
It steadies us because it is future-focused and rooted in God’s plan.
The lesson: Biblical hope is not fragile or emotional—it’s a strong, immovable foundation built on God’s promises in Christ. Our feelings may waver, but our hope in Him never fails.
When life still feels heavy or the road ahead looks uncertain, this kind of enduring hope is what keeps our feet moving. It doesn’t ignore pain—it believes God is still at work through it.
Enduring Hope Is...
2. Walking, Not Leaping: After finding rest in hope, the temptation is to expect an immediate emotional high or dramatic breakthrough. But often, God calls us to simply walk—steadily, patiently, and faithfully.
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus.”
— Hebrews 12:1–2
Endurance is built through small daily choices:
• Choosing prayer when you feel dry.
• Choosing truth when lies resurface.
• Choosing community when isolation tempts you.
Enduring Hope is...
3. Strength That Isn’t Yours: Your strength will fail—God’s won’t. Paul wrote from a place of suffering when he said:
Years ago, at a church picnic, the adults challenged the kids to a game of tug-of-war. The children laughed and pulled with all their might, their little feet digging into the dirt. They strained, they sweated, and for a while, it looked like they might hold their ground. But then, one of the strong fathers quietly walked over, took the rope, and with one steady pull, the entire line of children tumbled forward laughing.
That’s how it is with our strength and God’s strength. We pull, we strain, and sometimes we even think we’re holding our own. But when God steps in, His strength is so far beyond ours that the outcome is never in doubt. Isaiah 40:29 says, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
Our strength has limits—God’s doesn’t. We may be strong for a while, but eventually, we tire out. God never does. The Christian life is not about showing God how strong we are, but about letting Him show His strength through us.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9
You don’t need to be strong to move forward. You need to be surrendered. God’s Spirit is your strength, not your willpower.
4. What Are the Signs of Enduring Hope?
When you’re truly walking forward in God’s strength, a few things begin to grow:
• Peace: Even when circumstances aren’t resolved.
• Joy: That doesn’t depend on perfection.
• Patience: With yourself and others.
• Purpose: A renewed desire to serve, give, and lead.
These aren’t just emotions—they are fruit of a life anchored in Christ (Galatians 5:22–23).
Conclusion: When you have this type of hope you have to hold on to it. Hebrews 10:23 (NIV): "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Finally... You’ve walked through recognizing the waves, uncovering anxiety’s roots, Don’t be anxious, cast all your cares on Him, Fear not, Trust His timing, And now, you know this: you don’t overcome in your strength—you overcome in His. Now Walk Forward in God’s Strength.
Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
That’s the promise that allows us to breathe deep when anxiety tightens, to keep walking when we feel stuck, and to rise again when we fall. You may still face waves. But you now have an anchor. You may still feel stretched. But you now know how to pause, pray, and press on with peace.
The overwhelming may knock, but it no longer owns you.
So take what you’ve learned. Live it slowly. Share it freely. And walk forward in faith, knowing that the One who called you is faithful—and He will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
You are not alone. You are not defeated. You are an overcomer.
Prayer: Lord, I’m not where I want to be, but I thank You I’m not where I used to be. Give me the strength to walk forward—one step at a time—trusting You for each mile. When I’m weary, carry me. When I’m discouraged, remind me. Let my hope be built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
In His name I pray, Amen.
