Good morning. Hope is a beautiful idea. Hope can be a powerful word when it is able to motivate and encourage us. Hope, the word, is defined in various ways, but I favor this: Hope is to cherish a desire and to anticipate that which is good will happen.
I think that hope is central to the mental health and well-being of humanity, but I do not believe that hope is unique to humans. Hope is of God, and I see evidence that hope is present whenever there is a brain capable of such a concept. For instance, I feel quite certain that when our little dog Dickens wags his tail in a blur, runs around in circles, and yips with excitement, he has hope in his heart that I will cause what he desires to happen.
However, I believe that those who believe in the God of heaven have a greater reason for hope, and that the reach of hope is far more meaningful and powerful for believers.
Jeremiah 29:11 tells us: “Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD.” I find it interesting that we are told hope is the LORD, not that hope is of mankind as if it is our idea. Hope is the LORD indicates that hope is a part of His character, a portion of the reality of God.
The words found in Romans 5:5 tell us more of the value provided in hope: “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is given to us.” In our hope in the Lord we have confidence because such hope is joined with God’s love and is shared with us through the Holy Spirit of God, who is always present in our lives.
Paul, in his letter to the Romans, combines two truths about hope, proclaiming hope to be a part of the nature of God, and again telling us that it is the Holy Spirit whose power provides hope in abundance: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
There are times when life seems dull, or hard, or perhaps even impossible. Do not give up and do not give way to such thoughts. Our God is hope personified. The Spirit of God is hope shared in power. Pray today for the hope that will sustain you, inspire you, and perhaps sustain and encourage a loved one. Hope is a part of God’s power and a portion of His promise of life abundant. (John 10:10)
Be hopeful today and be blessed!
Vern