to expect with confidence , to cherish a desire with anticipation
to wish for, to expect, but without certainty of the fulfillment; to desire very much, but with no real assurance of getting your desire.
in Scripture, according to the Hebrew and Greek words translated by the word “hope” and according to the biblical usage, hope is an indication of certainty.
“Hope” in Scripture means “a strong and confident expectation.” Though archaic today in modern terms, hope is similar to trust and a confident expectation.
Hope may refer to the activity of hoping, or to the object hoped for—the content of one’s hope. By its very nature, hope stresses two things: futurity, and invisibility. It deals with things we can’t see or haven’t received or both .
..growing up hoping for a good outcome sometimes seemed to have to do something with someone crossing their fingers for you... actually in german you "press your thumbs" ..closing your fingers around your thumbs and squeezing them.... hilarious... and how did we think this was going to make any difference...
hope for a better outcome is what gives us the courage to keep on going when the going get's tough but really, what is our hope based on? it really is only based on the possibility that things can go either way... nice and dandy but really nothing too concrete.. not really helping...
in scripture, God's Word spoken to us, the source of my hope is clear...my hope is in the Creator of the Universe, my hope is in how powerful He is, it is in His goodness, His love, His mercy, His understanding and in His grace.. so really in Who He is...
Romans 5:3-5 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.
Psalm 25:3 No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame
who are treacherous without excuse.
Romans 15:13 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.
Jeremiah 29:11
I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future...
the Bible is full of so many promises that give us hope, it tells us where our hope comes from and who God is... I can know all this not only in my head but also in my heart.... I am not relying on some magical thumb squeezing but on the One I have this eternal relationship with, the One that has not only sent His own Son to die for me but has also revealed Himself and His plan to me in His Word...
it can't get any better than that....
