Faith cannot be acquired or learned through any conventional means designed by man. It is not something that comes naturally to any of us. It is a gift from God, as is stated in Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; but it is a gift of God.”

Hebrews 11, ( the faith chapter), talks of many instances where people, who acted in faith, overcame seemingly insurmountable odds. This chapter also tells us how extremely important it is to have faith because it says in Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Throughout life God tests our faith. This is not because He wants to know how faithful we are – because He already knows – but to allow us to know how strong our faith is and to identify where our weaknesses are. The testing of our faith may come in the guise of many different trials but we can be assured that God will not test us beyond what we are capable of handling. These tests should be rejoiced upon, not mourned, since they are sent to make us stronger. This is best said in

James 1:2-4

2. My Brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into many afflictions;
3. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4. But let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

However, although faith is a major, key virtue it cannot and does not stand alone as is mentioned in Moroni 10:15 – “Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith, there must also be hope; and if there must be hope, there must also be charity; and except ye have charity, ye can in no wise be saved in the kingdom of God.”

So, now let us look in some detail at the second virtue, hope.

Hope is defined as ‘a feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen’. Its archaic meaning is describe as ‘a feeling of trust’.

Faith and hope go hand in hand and this is shown is Hebrews 11:1 which says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Therefore, hope, by its archaic definition, is the assurance that our faith is justified.

In 1 Peter 3:15 it says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer with meekness and fear to every man that asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you;”. This describes hope as your strength. It strengthens your faith.

Biblical hope is a reality not a feeling and it carries no doubt. Hope or confident assurance can be ours when we trust the words, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath ever-lasting life.” (John 6:47)