Today's VerseThe Lord is good to those who hope in Him, to those who seek Him.
~Lamentations 3:25 NCV
Thoughts on today's verse...The thesaurus provides the following synonyms for the word hope:
expect
trust
anticipate
wish
look forward to
I enjoy word studies and find them helpful in trying to understand the full impact of a particular word. And I like the word hope! It gives the impression of something a little further down the road, something just around the bend. You know, Christmas morning and children opening packages.
What hope isn't is a positive mental attitude. I have hope, but sometimes my attitude is less than positive, in fact it can be down right cynical. There is no way to conquer despair with "happy thoughts". Hope has strength, but not strength of its own. The power of hope comes from the truth it hopes in, no matter what the outcome.
When I had my heart attack and was flown via medical helicopter to Tucson, Arizona I can tell you most assuredly that I have never wanted to fly by helicopter anywhere at all! My anxiety level (and blood pressure) rose substantially, I'm sure. Now, although I was fearful of the trip and the mode thereof, I had hope. The hope was not merely that we would successfully complete the trip, but the hope that if anything happened, I would eventually be in the arms of my loving Savior. That's it, bottom line. But for now, since I am still here, as the last portion of our verse shows, I will continue to seek Him!
My prayer...Lord God, Heavenly Father - thank you for the word hope! Thank you for its meaning and for what it can do in our lives. My hope and my trust are in You alone. Even so - Amen!
Yours, because we're His,
Tamara
Many times in my life when I have realized that there was nothing I could do to change a situation be it medical, financial or a loved one...it was then that my hope had to be solely in Him where it should always be really. the gift of hope is so precious for it helps here and for Heavenly thoughts as well.
ReplyDeleteblessings and hugs,
marcy
Without hope there is nothing...I would hate to live my life without hope or live in a country that takes away your hope.
ReplyDeleteAmen, my Sisters, amen!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you about hope not being a positive mental attitude. When I'm hopeful it's usually not in an 'excited anticipation' way, it's more desperate and urgent. I guess because hope relies on a good outcome.
ReplyDeleteIt's more trusting in God that gives me the comfort, ease, and solace, and trusting that no matter what the outcome, it's the right one.
But I have to admit I've spent the better part of my life hoping rather than trusting.
Nice post!
Tamara, first let me thank you for your prayer today, then I have to admit I cannot remember a time when I didn't live with hope, even when my husband and son died, I was very sad for sure but my faith gave me the hope and security to move forward. It was very hard but without hope it would of been impossible....:-) Hugs
ReplyDelete