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The dictionary on my desk defines “hope” as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen”.
Hope is a marvelous, marvelous gift. Though non-Christians may speak of “hope,” the genuine gift of hope is for those who have been redeemed – Ephesians 2.12 describes our pre-salvation state as “…having no hope and without God in the world.”
Colossians 1.5 speaks of a warehouse-in-heaven, “…the hope laid (stored) up for you in heaven.” The psalmist confirms that the gift of hope is from God: “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him.” (62.5)
Though the ultimate object of our hope is the Lord, He gives encouragement to hope in His Word: “Remember Your word to Your servant, in which You have made me hope.” (Psalm 119.49) and “Those who fear You shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in Your word.” (Psalm 119.74)
Romans 12.12 urges Christians to “Rejoice in hope…” and Romans 15.4 reminds us of the hope-giving power of God’s Word: “For whatever was written in the former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
Some times the translators give the same word often translated “hope” the word “wait.” (as in “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength”) At least for me this “translates” into sometimes gritting teeth even while I hope.
I’m not a good “waiter.” Yet even that impatience (sin) is laced with hope. And, ultimately, hope is not in circumstances, or realtors (!), or doctors, or anything/anyone else. Peter reminds me, “…your faith and hope are in God.” (1 Peter 1.21)
One heritage of my four years in the army is a tendency to make acronyms. For instance, I take my last name and use if often for prayer, that I would be Holy, Active, Gentle, Enthusiastic, Reliable.
So it’s not surprising I have an acronym for “hope”: He Oversees (and Overrules) People and Events.
A prayer for me, mine, and you is Romans 15.13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”