What is Hope?
1.the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that eventswill turn out for the best: to give up hope.
2. a particular instance of this feeling: the hope of winning.
3. grounds for this feeling in a particular instance: There is little or no hope of his recovery.
4. a person or thing in which expectations are centered: The medicine was her last hope.
5. something that is hoped for: Her forgiveness is my constant hope.
–verb (used with object)
6. to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
7. to believe, desire, or trust: I hope that my work will be satisfactory.
–verb (used without object)
8. to feel that something desired may happen: We hope for an early spring.
9. Archaic . to place trust; rely (usually fol. by in ).
—Idiom
10. hope against hope, to continue to hope, although the outlookdoes not warrant it: We are hoping against hope for a
change in her condition.
I cannot understand what this hope is supposed to feel like? What is Hope? Is it a desire to be imagined until reality comes to pass? Is it a dream, a whisper of a desire that is yet out of focus? Is it desire? Desire for what???? What hope is not disappointed? The answer lies within reach, Lord...can you show me how to hope?
"Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may. Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands? Though he slay me, yet i will hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face." Job 13:13-15
"My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long "Where is your God?" These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will praise him my savior and my God." Psalm 42:5
"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." Psalm 62:5
"May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word." Psalm 119:74
"O Israel put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption." Psalm 130:7
"His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." Psalm 147:10-11
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12
"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:30-31
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:3-4
"For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?" Romans 8:24
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12
"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." Romans 15:4
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13
"To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27
"But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet." 1 Thessalonians 5:8
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." 1 Timothy 6:17
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ" Titus 2: 11-13
"Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain" Hebrews 6:16-19
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1
"Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure." 1 John 3:3
It is my conclusion, there is only one solid hope...not in any circumstance, not in any event, nothing worldy...nothing that we wish God would do...but the one solid hope is the hope in the salvation that we already have. The "hope of salvation" that is our "helmet"...Our hope is in God promise, hope and faith together with joy, knowing that the price was paid, and Jesus is coming back! What else could we possibly hope for????
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me? I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind but now I see. Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take him at his word, just to rest upon his promise, just to know "Thus sayeth the Lord"
