Lam 3:21-26 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
Psalms 77:7-11 “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?”
Psalms 119:81 My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.
Psalms 130:7 O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.
Habakkuk 2:3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.
Lam 3:40-41 Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD! Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven:
Hope: Desire, Expectation, Longing, Yearning, Craving, Trust, Assurance, Faith, Optimistic
In order to have hope for today and tomorrow we must have something to hope in.
We can hope in:
Yourself – your hard work, determination, knowledge, strength ……
Others – their benevolence, generosity, sympathy, strength, love, wealth, knowledge……..
God – His promises, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, strength, might, power, grace, mercy, love…….
Hope is very empty and untrustworthy apart from God, but what is that hope if it is not based on the Word of God, the whole Word of God?
Seeking, desiring, and longing would indicate there is a basis for the hope we have. When our hope is rightly placed in God then our minds are forever at peace, rest, and secure. Things will happen, trials will come, and doubts will jump into our heads but thanks be to God He is always our refuge. There are things that will make us sad, but god will lift us up. There are things that will confuse us, but God will overshadow it. There will be things that slap us in the face with fear and worry, but God’s ever-present Holy Spirit will remove it. How do we know this is true? God’s Word proclaims and declares it. If we are in His Word and His Word abides in us, then we will have firm ground on which our Hope will stand. If we lack time in His Word the things of this world will gut punch us hard and instead of it being a glancing blow it will take the wind right out of us.
Do you want a life filled with Hope? Dig into His Word and learn of God’s promises, power, presence, and knowledge as the Holy Spirit opens this understanding up to you.
When everything is falling apart and there seems to be no possible solution – GOD is our hope, strength, refuge, and ever-present heavenly Father. God is aware, able, and can do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine.
