The Scriptures (particularly the Epistles of Peter and Paul) assure us that by combining God's redemptive acts from the past, we are through faith to have an ardent hope in the future, anticipating eternal life in the family of God. Without the gift of God's Holy Spirit, it is difficult to look at the decay and decline around us without feeling discouraged or depressed (Romans 8:22). But by reflecting on the cumulative past dealings with God's promises and deliverance, we can endure multiple obstacles and trials with godly hope, decidedly not a watered-down faith. Hope is an active anticipation of being resurrected to the Kingdom of God as a member of the God family. Godly hope is not passivity, but vigorous waiting—waiting in eager anticipation for the wonderful World Tomorrow, realizing that when compared to our ultimate destiny, our present trials are comparatively light. We learn with godly hope we can be victorious on three fronts—Satan, the world, and our own carnal nature, with its enmity toward God and His Law (Romans 8:35-37). We have God's immutable promise (Hebrews 6:13-17) that He will never go back on His promise to His called-out ones and will continue to work with us until His purpose for us has been completed (Philippians 1:6). Like Our Savior, we are obligated to learn character and conviction through the things we suffer (Hebrews 5:7-8). The testing of our faith produces patience and wisdom (James 1:6). Human intellect, will power, and optimism are insufficient as the apostle Peter discovered, but the hope of our calling, the riches of God's glory, and the greatness of God's power (revealed through incremental, intimate knowledge of Him) will keep our eyes riveted on the goal of seeing Him as He is (I John 3:2-3).