We "hope" something happens or turns out positively. We might "hope" our team wins the game. We might "hope" we have a great birthday. When we use the word in that form we are wishing for a positive result to occur, but there is also some doubt associated with it as well. We "hope" something turns out well but we don't know that it will. It is simply a wish or a desire for things to go "our" way.
Today, however, I want you to think of "hope" in a little different light. Thirty eight times in the Bible the word "hope" is used. It is not a wish or a "hope so" kind of thing either. No! Rather, it is a surety and a trust in God. I'd like to quote a few passages from the Bible where this word is used and give you a bit of "hope" today for what lies ahead.
Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we "hope" for and certain of what we do not see."
Hebrews 6:19 "We have this "hope" as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf."
I Corinthians 13:13 "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love."
Psalm 25 vs 4-5 "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my "hope" is in you all day long."
Psalm 25:3 "No one whose "hope" is in you will ever be put to shame...."
Psalm 147:11 "the Lord delights in those who fear im, who put their "hope" in his unfailing love."
Isaiah 41:31 "but those who "hope" in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
I'll leave it up to you to discover for yourself all the other passages in the Bible where "hope" is used.
We who are Christians don't just "hope" we get into heaven when we die. No! since our "hope" is in God who made the way for us to be with him eternally thorugh the cruxifixion and resurrection of his one and only Son, Jesus, we can know we have eternal life and a life more abundant even now before death. Our "hope" is not some wish that everything is going to turn out alright. When we have God as our "hope" we know that He's got everything under control and that He will take care and love his children.
If you don't know God as your Savior, Lord, Master, and yes even as your friend, then you have no "Hope."
Hope is what anchors us and keeps us from being tossed about like a leaf on the stormy sea.
This kind of hope is something we can count on and we will not be let down.
This world give us a wishy-washy kind of "hope." Things might turn out alright but they might not.
My prayer for you today is that you put your "hope" in Christ who will take care of you and not let you be dashed against the rocks when the storms of life come as they always do.
"Hope" spring eternal.
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