What It Is

Thursday, May 08, 2014 Posted by Unknown

12, 440. It’s mentioned that many times in the Bible. Must be important. It’s first mentioned in Ruth chapter one after Naomi’s sons were killed. “If I should say I have hope (expectation),” she told her daughters-in-law after her sons were killed in battle. (She couldn’t give them new husbands.)

Next, a confession is made to Ezra (whose name means ‘help’) in 10:2. “We have trespassed against our God, and have taken pagan wives from the peoples of the land; yet now there is hope in Israel in spite of this.” The meaning here is a confidence, a gathering together—strength in numbers.

And, most of us are familiar with the phrase, “He/she has the patience of Job.” Yet in chapter 6:11, Job answers his friend by stating, “What strength do I have, that I should hope?” Meaning: wait; be patient.

When we skip forward to Jeremiah 17, we read a favorite in verse 7: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.” Awe: a refuge, security, and confidence.

Finally, though, many of us find ourselves lamenting over seemingly, hopeless situations that surround us in this broken world of one blow after another. Still, in the midst of “grievously waiting,” Jeremiah, who cried out in deep despair, was able to say: “It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”

Helping Other People Expect.

I leave you with an all time favorite from Isaiah: “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you," (43:2) "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength." (40:31)