A Hope-filled Greeting
Robert Dawson
1 Peter 1:1-2
Several years ago, researchers performed an experiment using two sets of laboratory rats to determine the effect hope had on those undergoing hardship.
The rats were placed in two separate tubs of water. The researchers left one set in the water unattended and found that within an hour they had all drowned. The second set was periodically lifted out of the water for a moment and then returned to the water. The result was that the second group swam for over 24 hours.
Why? What was the difference? Did the one group swim longer because they had been given periodic rest? No. They swam longer because they had hope. They were conditioned to hope. Because of that occasional rescue/rest they swam with the expectation that someone would rescue them. (Today in the Word, May 1990, MBI, p. 34)
Because of hope, one group kept fighting to survive while the other group, who did not have hope, surrendered to despair, and died. What was true of these poor experimental animals is true of us.
Hope is defined as: (1) A desire with anticipation. (2) To desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfilment. (3) To expect with confidence
Hope is important. Hope is essential. Its presence provides the strength to endure and desire to press on. Its absence invites weakness and the desire to give up.
When do we start to lose hope? It is not when things are good. It is not when things still seem possible. It’s when things seem improbable and even impossible.
The Super Bowl is being played tonight, the LA Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals. I don’t have a dog in the fight but let’s say you are invested in this game. You are a rabid Bengals or Rams fan and youare rooting for them to win with everything you’ve got. Let’s say the score is 21-14 at half-time and your team is down. Do you have hope? Yes, you do. Now it is the fourth quarter and there is 5 minutes left on the clock and your team is down 42-14, do you still ...
Robert Dawson
1 Peter 1:1-2
Several years ago, researchers performed an experiment using two sets of laboratory rats to determine the effect hope had on those undergoing hardship.
The rats were placed in two separate tubs of water. The researchers left one set in the water unattended and found that within an hour they had all drowned. The second set was periodically lifted out of the water for a moment and then returned to the water. The result was that the second group swam for over 24 hours.
Why? What was the difference? Did the one group swim longer because they had been given periodic rest? No. They swam longer because they had hope. They were conditioned to hope. Because of that occasional rescue/rest they swam with the expectation that someone would rescue them. (Today in the Word, May 1990, MBI, p. 34)
Because of hope, one group kept fighting to survive while the other group, who did not have hope, surrendered to despair, and died. What was true of these poor experimental animals is true of us.
Hope is defined as: (1) A desire with anticipation. (2) To desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfilment. (3) To expect with confidence
Hope is important. Hope is essential. Its presence provides the strength to endure and desire to press on. Its absence invites weakness and the desire to give up.
When do we start to lose hope? It is not when things are good. It is not when things still seem possible. It’s when things seem improbable and even impossible.
The Super Bowl is being played tonight, the LA Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals. I don’t have a dog in the fight but let’s say you are invested in this game. You are a rabid Bengals or Rams fan and youare rooting for them to win with everything you’ve got. Let’s say the score is 21-14 at half-time and your team is down. Do you have hope? Yes, you do. Now it is the fourth quarter and there is 5 minutes left on the clock and your team is down 42-14, do you still ...
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