Then the writer hastens to express his confidence in them to encourage them to be patient. He is persuaded better things of them and encourages them to make their hope sure by imitating those who have patiently endured. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Patience is absolutely essential to bear up under the trials of life.
Patience is impossible without hope.
Hope that God will work things out is based upon his unchanging word. God worked his will in Abraham's life, he kept his promises, and this is a sure sign that he will do the same for each of his children. They are encouraged to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Hebrews 11 expounds on this in more detail. For the present the writer uses Abraham as an example.