Hope Defined

Hope.

What do you think of when you hear that word?

Oxford Language defines it as “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.”

Merriam-Webster defines hope as “...to want something to be true.”

Our world today has been desperate for hope, especially since the pandemic. But if hope is defined as merely a feeling or a desire, it’s empty.

We know from reading His Word, God tells us to hope. If God puts such emphasis on hope, it isn’t empty. Maybe our definition needs to be stronger.

The Hebrew word for hope is qawa (verb) and tiqwa (noun); “to trust and wait expectantly.” If God is telling us to wait and expect, we know that what He is telling us to hope for will come to pass. That’s meatier. That’s something we can hold onto.

So, what should we hope in? And what should we expect? Let’s look at His Word.

It’s one thing to have the proper definition of hope, and the second piece to this weightier hope is to know what to put our hope in.

We see in Jeremiah 29:11 that it’s God who gives us our hope.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

He gives us hope in His faithful promise to guide us in this life. He has it all planned out. He’s Sovereign, and His plans are for our good.

This charge to hope continues throughout the Psalms. “The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.” (Ps. 147:11) Again, we see that our hope is not just a feeling or desire.

Our hope, placed in our Creator, becomes an action we take.

We expect God’s unfailing love to rescue, redeem, comfort, and guide us in this life and the next. Psalm 62: 5-6 reminds us that our hope “comes from God.” Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Our God is the God of hope. And not only that. Do you see what else comes with hope in God? Joy and peace. We gain joy and peace as we rely on His Word and trust that He will do what He says. And our hope overflows by the power of the Holy Spirit. Isaiah says, “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.”

Hope in our Lord renews and strengthens us. We gain a second wind. Now, who couldn’t use a second wind?

I need to point out that this is not just wishful thinking. This is trusting that the Almighty will deliver on all of His promises. This is waiting as we struggle through this life, expecting that He will be our guide, rescue, and salvation. In the here and now, and when He comes to take us to be with Him in Heaven. This is an action.

We engage our faith as we set our hope on Him.

We can see through His Word that hope is from God and that it’s a necessary thing to have and do. When we hope, wait in expectation, in God’s promises, our souls are refreshed, our spirits are encouraged, and our future is secure. Jesus is our hope!

As we focus on the One who tells us to hope in Him and trust His promises, hope becomes a blessed assurance to our hearts, minds, and souls. That is what this world needs today.

That is what we have from God; His hope.

Let’s allow ourselves to hope in Him today.

What's one thing that brings you hope? Tell me about it below!

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Tina Akridge has walked through loss, and grief after losing her husband who fought cancer for eight years. She learned how to lean on God, and hopes to hold the hand of those who are going through their own loss, offering compassion to them, and helping them turn to God's promises.

Tina's writing will be a friend in those dark places, and show you where to find more peace in your life.

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