- “To desire with expectation of obtainment…”
- “The state which promotes the belief in a good outcome…”
- “The feeling that what is wanted can be had…”
- “That thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all” (poet Emily Dickinson).
All four of these definitions speak of the word HOPE.
“Hope” means many things to many people. It’s also a girl’s name, a college in Michigan, a town (Hope, Arkansas), a political slogan, and the name chosen to represent countless ministries, churches, & social services.
As I walked through the parking deck at Duke Cancer Center yesterday, I noticed a bumper sticker that read “There is Hope at Duke Medical Center.” And as I walked up the stairs of the open atrium, I looked down and noticed that the mosaic in the floor said “Hope.” Of course the cancer center wants to present itself as a hopeful place. And it is. The doctors are extremely skilled and knowledgeable. They are committed to the fight. The technology and medical services are the best you can find. It’s a place that “promotes the belief in a good outcome.”
And yet, I know that life on this earth is not meant to last forever. We all know that, but some people live with a hope that’s only temporary.
If one’s definition of a “good outcome” doesn’t include Heaven, Jesus and eternal life, then it’s a grand understatement to say that he or she is going to eventually be very disappointed.
I like how John Piper describes the difference between “ordinary hope” and biblical hope. In his sermon “What Is Hope?” Pastor Piper explains that when we ordinarily use the word hope, we express uncertainty rather than certainty:
- “I hope you don’t have any side effects,” means, “I don’t have any certainty that you’ll not have side effects, I only desire that you don’t.”
- “Our hope is that this treatment will work,” means, “We can’t guarantee it, but that is our desire.”
Biblical hope, in contrast, is founded upon certainty rather than wishful thinking. It’s a reality produced in us by faith in Christ and given through the Holy Spirit. It’s a gift with an eternal guarantee!
“We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing …. God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit” (2 Corinthians 5:2 & 5).
Biblical hope is connected to faith. “…faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Hope steadfastly believes, when the outcome is unseen, because it trusts in the One who sees. Hope continues, when circumstances change, because it trusts in the One who never changes. Hope grows, in the midst of suffering, because it rejoices in the glory of God (Romans 5: 2 – 5).
According to Hebrews 6:19, followers of Christ have hope “as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” An anchor was a common ancient metaphor for stability. “To ground hope on a false supposition,” said Socrates, “is like trusting to a weak anchor.” But true hope is held fast in eternal character of God. The writer of Hebrews says that this hope is firm and secure. In the midst of the storms, God never fails, never disappoints, never forsakes us or forgets His promises.
Although hope is ultimately based on what we can’t perceive with our physical eyes, I think God gives us outward reassurances of His promises and His presence every now and then. Sometimes little reminders help us to press on.
Yesterday, as we waited for Daddy’s appointment, we learned that the doctor was running two hours behind. So I went on a hunt for magazines to pass the time. When there were no interesting magazines to be found, I asked the receptionist. “Oh, we don’t really get magazines around here. You might need to check another clinic. Try the third floor.”
So I did, and in that waiting room, I spotted a magazine with a bouquet of flowers on the front. As I walked toward it, I noticed that it was a Martha Stewart Living, but I saw something else too, an index card lying on the cover:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
I stood there for a minute, looking at the card. You know we’re anxious, God. You understand. You’re here. This is one of your sweet mercies, just for us. Thank You.
Once I got moving again, I found another magazine across the room and went back upstairs. As Mom flipped through the second magazine, another card fell to the floor:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3: 22 – 23
I’m sure that whoever placed the index cards in the waiting room purposely intended to plant seeds of hope, to communicate that the Lord is steadfast, merciful, and faithful. And He is a personal God, caring about every detail and knowing our deepest needs. Some might think that finding the cards was just a nice coincidence. I don’t think so. In fact, when I got home, I read an email from my friend Leah that confirmed the Scriptures were meant for us.
“Hey Renee, I am praying for you today and prayed specifically that you would find something to rest in … a verse, a situation, a prompt from God’s hand.”
Wow!
Isaiah 49:23 – “… I am the LORD, those who hope in Me will not be disappointed.”
Thank you for reading today’s post. Be encouraged that in Christ there is hope for your story. And let’s look for fresh ways to plant seeds of hope in our homes, neighborhoods, and the world around us.
“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.” ~ Romans 15:13
Resources:
“Hope is the Thing with Feathers” – poem by Emily Dickinson
“hope as an anchor for the soul” – Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible http://bible.cc/hebrews/6-19.htm
ESV Study Bible – Hebrews 6:19 notes
“What is Hope?” John Piper. http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/what-is-hope
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