The dictionary says, To wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment. But I have a problem with that. When I say, "I hope I get that promotion." "I hope that the plane leaves on time." "I hope they remember to unplug the coffee pot." There is that chance that it will not happen. In reality, our personal version of hope is nothing more than wishful thinking. Taking a chance and "hoping" that it works.
Now the Bibles version of hope is different. It is best defined as confident expectation. An assurance that God is in control of what we don't know or understand. In the Old Testament the saints believed in the hope of a coming Messiah. One who would save them. Jesus was that hope, that fulfillment of what was promised them. Our hope in the New Testament isn't that different. We are looking forward to the second coming of Jesus. What some call the Blessed Hope. We don't know when it will happen, but we are confidently expecting it to.
So what are you confidently expecting in your life? A healing? His provision? His wisdom? His blessings? Hope does spring eternal because Jesus is eternal. He is our hope and our future.
Now over the course of the next few weeks I am going to blog about hope. Why don't we have more hope? What has happened to hope? Why is it that my hope apparently isn't good enough? How do I get hope and keep it everyday? Why do I even need hope in my life?
Now the Bibles version of hope is different. It is best defined as confident expectation. An assurance that God is in control of what we don't know or understand. In the Old Testament the saints believed in the hope of a coming Messiah. One who would save them. Jesus was that hope, that fulfillment of what was promised them. Our hope in the New Testament isn't that different. We are looking forward to the second coming of Jesus. What some call the Blessed Hope. We don't know when it will happen, but we are confidently expecting it to.
So what are you confidently expecting in your life? A healing? His provision? His wisdom? His blessings? Hope does spring eternal because Jesus is eternal. He is our hope and our future.
Now over the course of the next few weeks I am going to blog about hope. Why don't we have more hope? What has happened to hope? Why is it that my hope apparently isn't good enough? How do I get hope and keep it everyday? Why do I even need hope in my life?
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