Certain Sure and Definite

1 Peter 1:21 KJV

Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

People are prone to put faith and hope in all sorts of things:

• The ancients often put their faith and hope in a man made statue
• The oppressed very often put their faith and hope in a powerful leader, even if he is a dictator
• The gambler will put his faith and hope in the next roll of the dice or the next pick of the lottery
• The fearful may place their faith and hope in a system of religion or philosophy
• The sick will put their faith and hope in a doctor or a particular medical facility
• The love struck will put their faith and hope in the one they intend to marry, sometimes
• The quarreling couple will once in a while put their faith and hope in a newborn baby

In every case, the failure of this faith is rooted in the fact that none of these are perfect and sure. They each have their own failings. They may, in turn, be placing their faith and hope in the one who places faith and hope in them. 

The Bible urges us in a different direction. God's Word calls upon us to place our faith and hope in God. This is foolproof and sound because the object of the faith is

• Perfect in His character
• Sufficient in His self and
• Unchanging in His person

This hope is certain, sure and definite. It is as sure as if we had already taken possession of the thing hoped for.