“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.” Psalm 39:7
Most people understand hope as wishful thinking, as in “I hope something will happen.” This is not what the Bible means by hope. The biblical definition of hope is “confident expectation.” Hope is a firm assurance regarding things that are unclear and unknown.
Without hope, life loses its meaning. The righteous who trust or put their hope in God will be helped, and they will not be confounded, put to shame, or disappointed. Those who have this trustful hope in God, have a confidence in God’s protection and help and are free from fear and anxiety.
Recently I experienced a medical condition that has a high mortality rate. As I lay in the hospital hooked up to more wires than the local power grid, I contemplated my mortality.
I hoped I would recover, as I have a lot of living yet to do. But I hoped beyond that …. real hope and trust in my eternal salvation. Even faced with my current situation I knew with that expectant hope that all would be well and regardless of how I came out of the hospital, soon or someday I would see the face of Jesus.
As the great songwriter Edward Mote wrote decades ago: ‘My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ, my righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name’.
APPLICATION: Do a “hope check.” Where is your hope; your assurance? Make sure your eyes are on Him and on Him alone.
By John Grant
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney
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