Hope – Part 1
Hope is “a longing or expectation for something.” Hope can also be defined as “a feeling of trust.” I will share some verses that cover both of these definitions. Today, we are just focusing on what hope is and some of what the Bible has to say about it. Then, the next 3 weeks we will dig deeper into “Hope vs. Expectations,” “Hope in Relation to Faith ,” and “Hopes and Dreams”. So let’s hop on into the topic of hope.
One of my all time favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV) God has a plan. He gives us a future and a hope. He gives us desires. He gives us dreams of a future. He is our provider, so we can place our hope in him.
When using hope to mean a feeling of trust, I believe that Psalm 33:21-22 is the best example. “In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.” (NLT) Our trust needs to be in God and God alone. Put your hope in him and watch his unfailing love surround you.
Look now at Jeremiah 17:7-8 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out its roots by the river, and shall not fear when heat comes, but its leaf shall be green, and it shall not be anxious in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” (MEV) Go back and read it again. Jot down what it means to you. Put your trust and hope in the Lord. When you trust him and base your desires on his will, these are the things you receive. I know you aren’t reading this by accident. This passage is for you. You may feel that you are financially, spiritually, or emotionally in a drought. You could feel like the drought is in your health. Put your trust and hope in God above because he promises that you need not be anxious because he is already providing.
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12 (MEV) I tend to focus only on the first half of this verse. It’s not really the right thing to do but my hope has been deferred and it makes my heart heavy. However I know that there will come a time of restoration and that new life will come from it.
Let these last two verses be an anchor for you throughout the week. Put them as the background on your phone. Put them on a sticky note on your mirror. Meditate on them.
Hebrews 6:19 “We have this hope as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, which enters the Inner Place behind the veil.” (MEV)
Romans 5:5 “And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (MEV)
Comment below what you are hoping (desiring) for or tell us what verses you cling to in a time when your hope has been deferred.