Scripture to Read: Psalm 130:1
Our Lord has us focused on “hope” this week. If we’re not careful, we can think of “hope” as unattainable because of the way we use the word in our English language. For instance, we’ll say, “I hope the weather is nice this weekend.” Or we’ll say, “I hope my team wins today.” When we use the word hope in this way we know in our hearts that we have absolutely zero control over the outcome of what we’ve said we hope will occur. The modern definition of hope is “to wish for, to expect, but without certainty of the fulfillment; to desire very much, but with no real assurance of getting your desire.” The modern-day definition of hope is incredibly empty and meaningless. The good news is that in God’s Word, according to the Hebrew and Greek words translated by the word “hope,” hope is an indication of certainty. “Hope” in Scripture means “a strong and confident expectation.” So, according to God and His Word, biblical hope is similar to trust and a confident expectation of what God has promised us through His Word. We can only find real hope through our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. All that this world offers us will never satisfy the deep desire for hope to be met in our lives. Everyone is looking for hope, but few find it because they look to everything else except Christ. As the Psalmist cried out to our Lord in Psalm 130:1, he knew his only hope would be found in God alone.
Challenge & Application
1. When you consider how the world defines hope and how God and His Word define hope, what are the differences?
2. How are you living in the hope you have in Christ each day?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!