Just what is hope and where do you find it?
One definition could be put this way: Hope is confidence in what has not happened yet.
The dictionary puts it this way: A.) a desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment.
B.) someone or something on which hopes are centered
So we see that hope can be confident and certain of what has not happened yet, as well as having someone or something on which our hopes are centered.
Many people each day are seeking hope in different ways. Hope for better health, a secure future, more stability, a successful life, peace of mind....and the list goes on. But maybe the question should be is WHERE are they seeking their hope from and in WHO are they seeking it from? The Bible tells us in Psalms 62: 5-6 "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my HOPE comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken." Also in Isaiah 49:23c "Those who HOPE in me will not be disappointed." So, we see that our hope comes from and is in....God and God alone. Your hope, if sought through any other, will eventually turn up empty and temporary.
There are many reasons to seek hope in the One Who knows us best. A few would be - He is sovereignly in control over any and all circumstances and situations you may find your life in. Proverbs 20:24a "A man's steps are directed by the Lord." Proverbs 16:9 "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." He is our trust. Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." He is our rescuer and sustainer. Isaiah 46:4b "I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." He is our protector. Psalms 16:1 "Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge." He rules over EVERY power and authority. Colossians 2:10 "And you have been given fulness in Christ over EVERY power and authority." 2 Thess. 3:3 "But the Lord is faithful and He will strengthen and PROTECT me from the evil one." We know that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b "Because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."
As I said these are just a few....there are many more.
Sometimes our hope requires that we wait.....and waiting is one of the hardest tasks to do! Though it may be hard, difficult and sometimse discouraging....our hope is with Him Who knows. "God's timing doesn't always coincide with our immediate plans. Sometimes He requires that we wait and hope." Psalms 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Throughout scripture we see that we are to wait for the Lord....not for the thing we want, but for the Lord. "God sends the strength and nourishment to face what comes our way, not all at once, but day by day." There are times we seem to keep waiting and hoping...the answer doesn't seem to come. What are we to do? Keep on believing God's Word! Never be moved away by what you see or feel. As you stand steady, great power and experience are being developed. "The fact of looking at the apparent contradiction as to God's Word and being unmoved from your position of faith makes you stronger on every other line. Often God delays purposely , and the delay is just as much an answer to your prayer as is the fulfillment when it comes."
"To believe is to give God the right to answer our prayers in the way He sees best. Remember, Jesus never gave a sermon on unanswered prayers b/c, from His viewpoint, ALL prayers are answered."
And I am reminded that just as my status says (for today anyways) "Sometimes He takes us out of situations, problems or needs; other times He takes us through them. Regardless fo the way He works in our lives, we can trust Him as our ever present guide for today."
"God is the God of every tense....past, present and future!
He is the help of our past, the hope of our future, and the all sufficient One for this very moment." Hebrews 13:6 "The Lord IS my helper. I will not be afraid; what can man do unto me?" Psalms 54:4 "Surely God IS my help; the Lord is the One who sustains me."
My son, Levi, is raising a pig for FFA. It has been already and is an experience! In thinking about pigs and such I was reminded of the story of "Charlotte's Web". Without going into alot of detail because most everyone knows the story afterall....I looked up some lines said by the characters from the book. In one such instance Homer Zuckerman is talking about little Wilbur being such a miracle in a time when miracles weren't really seen. As he pauses to think he says "How could this have happened? A miracle, in a time when we don't see many miraculious things! Maybe we do. Maybe they're all right there around us everyday, we just don't know where to look." I shared that to say....there is ALWAYS hope and hope is everywhere. Stop and look....in every situation there is hope. And hope doesn't have to be found just in the big things of life. Hope can show up in the smallest of places. . . a rainbow in the sky, a kind word spoken by a friend, a penny found on the ground telling us that "In GOD we trust", a hug just when we needed it the most, sunshine after the rain....or even sunshine during the rain! Again...a small list of examples of such a small word that holds GREAT BIG things in many ways.
Romans 8:28 (I believe one of the greatest verses) "And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
All things....not just some things work for our good and His glory.......HOPE.
God IS the God of hope!!!
Thank you again, my friends, for taking the time to read my blogs. I know I use alot of scripture which I hope you don't find too terribly boring :) But I want you to see that it is God who tells us these things and not just something I conjure up out of my head and try to spring on you. I also do use quotations of devotionals, at times, because I read such great things from them.
May your day be full of HOPE and every blessing today!! :))
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