You Are My Hope, God!

“And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You!” Psalms 39:7 (NKJV)

“For You are my hope, O Lord God…!” Psalms 71:5 (NKJV)

Let’s talk about HOPE for a moment. I am just a little curious. How would you describe hope?

Hope is something that we all seek for. Hope is a very powerful motivator! It’s what drives us to try again. It’s what keeps us from sinking under the weight of adversity. Hope is what keeps us positive. It fuels our joy. Hope helps us reach for our dreams with gusto and courage. Hope matters. It matters to me. To you. To every human being. Some people think that hope is nothing more than wishful thinking. And to some, that is all it is. But for the person who is a follower of Jesus Christ, hope is so much more. You see, the biblical definition of hope is different from the worlds view of hope. Christian hope means a confident expectation.

In our world of today, we are often told to “hang onto hope” – and while that is good, it is also hard to do. It takes a lot of “grit” to hang on to hope. Especially at times when we are going through circumstances that do not seem hopeful at all. And if we are really truthful with ourselves, there are times when “throwing in the towel” seems easier than “hanging onto hope”. Holding on to hope is just plain hard – no matter what the world around you might be saying.

But, my friend, for those of us who are Christians – who name the name of Christ – who follow after Him and His teaching, there is HOPE! Yes, there IS hope! If you are a Christian, then listen well to this next part. I know that I need this reminder so very often. I’m praying it just might help encourage you today.

For every Christian, we need the gentle reminder that HOPE is a very big part of our DNA. That’s right! Because we were created in the image of God , hope is already part of our blueprint. God built hope into our very being. Just think about that for a moment.

So, while it may be challenging to “hang onto hope” – especially whenever life is in chaos and overwhelming every part of you – we can actually do it. We can hang onto hope! In fact, we MUST hang onto hope in order to survive life in this crazy world of ours.

For every Christian, hope is the very foundation of our faith. Just like faith is the foundation of our hope. Hope is believing. Belief in a holy God. As the Psalmist reminds us in the verses above, “Our hope is in God” – the very One who created us. The One who built hope into our DNA. He is the source, the giver, and the sustainer of our hope. God the Father, gives us an abundant supply of hope. It is there, every time we start to feel hopeless. It is there when circumstances of life overwhelm us. It is there when everyone else has left us behind. It is there when the world says, “this is hopeless.” God says, “Hope is here! Hope is from Me given freely to you! Hope is a part of who you are!”

We need to be reminded at times to exercise our faith in God. Hang onto God’s style of hope, not the world’s offer of hope. Faith and hope work together. That’s the way God designed it. Can we muster up enough faith and hope on our own to make it through the day? Is that even possible to do? No way!

Our faith and God’s hope need to go together. My faith in God ignites God’s hope within me! Just think about that one for a moment. My faith in God ignites God’s hope with me! We cannot create hope on our own. We weren’t wired to do that. Only God in us can do that. According to the Apostle Paul, in the book of Romans (chapter 15 – verse 13) we are told that the Holy Spirit is the One (who lives within the heart of the Christian) who stirs hope alive within our hearts.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

This verse reminds us that God is the source of hope, that hope partners with faith (“in believing”), that we can have hope in abundance, and that the Holy Spirit is the power behind hope. I don’t know about you — but that biblical truth blesses my heart.

Do you want to know what else God’s hope within you will do for you? I made my list:

• The very plan that God has for your life includes hope (Jeremiah 29:11)
• God created hope within you to fulfill the deepest need of your heart – to be loved (Romans 5:5)
• Hope is the very thing that will renew your strength (Isaiah 40:31)
• Hope is your constant reminder that with God all things are possible (Mark 9:23)
• Hope promises to bring blessing from God (Jeremiah 17:7)
• Hope is the gift from God that gives you courage and confidence (2 Corinthians 3:12)
• Your hope in God brings great delight to your God (Psalms 147:11)

I hope you are beginning to see that with God there is no such thing as “hopeless.” We don’t have to live in a state of hopelessness – not ever! That’s not God’s design for us. God is our hope! He is the source we need to turn to when we feel hopeless. God created hope. God created us. He put His hope within our heart. Truth of the matter is this – sometimes that hope just needs a little stirring.

Remember – – My faith and God’s hope need to go together. My faith in God ignites God’s hope within me!

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”