When we think of hope, what is the definition that comes to mind?
Well, I sure hope it’s not this dictionary definition. The amount of things that end up going wrong in life make this version seem naive and childish. And interestingly enough, this is probably the least hopeful definition of hope I’ve ever seen.
So what is hope, really, and where does it come from? The second question is easier to answer. The kind of hope described above is relative. It lasts you until the next big wave knocks you over. You can find that kind of hope pretty much anywhere. True hope, the kind that gets you through your whole life, is only found in Jesus.
So what is true hope?
Hebrews 6:19 describes hope as something that anchors the soul, something that keeps you steady through the biggest storms.
Hope comes from God alone, and it has many different applications.
“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.” – Psalm 39:7
Hope can be defined with respect to anticipation, it can be described as waiting for something to happen. This is probably the simplest kind of hope, as we employ this all the time. Our problem is that we put this kind of hope in things like waiting for that exciting package to come in the mail, or waiting for “something interesting to happen” to us. I think the kind of waiting that God has in mind is the kind of anticipation of His coming, a long-term hope that will get us through life.
“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 40:31
Hope can also be defined as hanging onto the last thread of a prayer for rescue. A desperate hope in hard times, looking to God in anticipation of the deliverance that only He can bring. This hope is combined with trust, that God will provide the strength that you need to beat whatever it is that you’re fighting. The hope of a warrior.
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.” – Lamentations 3:21-24
The hardest kind of hope to have; hope in the best of times. When we’re free of trouble, it’s so easy to forget that we still need God even then. Hope in remembering that God is always here, always steadfast, whether we think we need Him or not. This hope is more of a verb, it’s a choice. To choose to live in hope is to understand and be grateful for all of the blessings that God has heaped upon us, and still acknowledge that we need his guidance. Hope in these times is found in the anticipation of growing closer to Him, knowing His love and getting a front-row seat to a display of his incredible power and protection.
So go forth and live in hope, whatever life situation you are in! God wants us to rely on him and put our hope in Him because ultimately the world’s definition for hope will always disappoint us. Great is the faithfulness of the Lord! He always has the best for us, and He will always be there. He is the only one worthy of our hope.
“I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies…” 2 Samuel 22:4
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