Hope is emphasized throughout the book of Hebrews. Our hope is anchored in heaven in Christ who, as the forerunner, has sat down at the right hand of God (6:18–20). We are presently looking for Him to return, and we are looking for a city that is yet to come (9:28; 13:14). Our eyes are to be fixed on Christ who is our Hope (12:1–2).

In our text today, we are told to hold fast the confession of our hope, without wavering. The idea of holding fast is to lay hold of it, to take possession of it by living it out. Notice too that we are to hold fast without wavering. This has the thought of being unbent, unyielding, resolute, firm, or unswerving. This matter of holding fast is based on the fact that the very One who promised is faithful: “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (1 Th. 5:24).

The story is told of a little boy who went to town with his father. The father told his son, “Wait here on this corner and I’ll be back in a while.” The father took much longer than expected because his car broke down. This was before cell phones, and the father thought for sure his son would be worried but had no way of contacting him. Five hours later, the father arrived to find his son calmly waiting for him. The father asked his boy, “Weren’t you worried? Did you think I wasn’t coming back?” The son looked up at his dad and said, “No, I knew you’d come, because you said you would!”

Sometimes, waiting on the Lord to provide us with answers to prayer or even help we need might seem to take a long while. But He who promised is faithful! Hold fast your confession of hope! Don’t give up and don’t give in; instead, press on, look up, and hold fast!