hope: a proper response to the promises of god

     Hope is the cornerstone of our faith.  Without hope, we have absolutely nothing.   According to Webster’s dictionary, hope is defined as “the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.” It further defines hope as “a person or thing in which expectations are centered.” Similarly, Scripture offers us a Biblical definition of hope.  According to the Hebrew and Greek translation of the word hope, it is an indication of certainty. Actually, more than an indication; it is a confident expectation. A confident expectation!!! I really like the sound of that and I like what that means.  It means that when I have hope, when you have hope, it is a certainty, a confident expectation in the desired outcome.  What comfort that gives me and what comfort it should give you.  It is a sure certainty that what God has promised in the Word is true, He will never fail you (Romans 8:24-25). 

    Hebrew 11: 1 tells us that “now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” To hope is to trust in, wait for, look for, or desire something, or someone or to expect something beneficial in the future. Today, at this very moment, we all have things we hope for. Collectively, we have the hope for eternal life or as Jeremiah tells us in chapter 14 verse 22, “our hope is in you.” God is beyond worthy of our trust and of our certainty. Hope is a proper response to the promises of God (Hebrew 6:18).

What are you hoping for today?

      We all pray and ask God for a host of things.  According to a recent Gallup poll, unemployment is at the top of the list of concerns for people in America. Therefore, many prayers are directed towards being employment opportunities in this turbulent world economy.  We must have hope that God is with us as we seek jobs.  We must have hope that God will open doors that no man can close and close doors that no man can open. We must have hope in the plans and purposes God has for our lives. The certainty we walk in because of hope is certainty in the sovereignty of God.

Do you trust His plans and purposes for your life?
 
     I share with you today, that whatever goodness you are hoping for that aligns with the Word of God, know that simply because you have hope it naturally leads to joy, boldness, faith and love and in hope we can find great comfort (Romans 5:2). 
 
Let’s keep hoping today!

-Iana