HOPE IN GOD
Where do you put your hope? Is it in your abilities, your job, your family? Is it a fleeting hope or is there something we can firmly believe is true? What kind of hope is a sure anchor for the soul? I believe that putting our hope in God is the anchor for our lives.
I plan to write more throughout the year about my chosen one word, HOPE. To keep me accountable and as a reminder to focus on my oneword this year, I have joined a small group. It’s a way to check on and encourage one another through the year. We all have different words, and I believe we can all learn from each other. This group was assigned from a larger Facebook group, and we are new to each other. So, this may also lead to new friendships.
SCRIPTURES ABOUT HOPE
For you are my hope, Lord God, my confidence from my youth. I have leaned on you from birth; you took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is always about you.
Psalm 71:5-6 CSB
Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken.
Psalm 62:5-6 CSB
These two Scripture passages encourage me that God is my hope. He has been with me from birth and will be with me through eternity. He is my stronghold, and in Him I find rest. There is nothing with power enough to separate me from Him. He upholds me with His strong and mighty arm. By His power I will stand firmly with the sure hope of life eternal.
In our larger group we were encouraged to find dictionary definitions for our words, share our own definitions and look up synonyms and antonyms. First I’ll share these and then add my own ideas about the kind of hope my oneword represents to me.
DEFINITIONS, SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS
To find these, I went to Rhymezone, which is an online thesaurus I use often.
Definitions:
- the general feeling that some desire will be fulfilled
- someone (or something) on which expectations are centered
- grounds for feeling hopeful about the future
- be optimistic; be full of hope; have hopes
- expect and wish
Promise, desire, trust, believe, expect, confidence, wishes, waiting, anticipates
Despair, despondency, helplessness, powerlessness, disillusionment, bleakness, sorrow, dread, longing.
These are only a few of the many words on Rhymezone. Some of the dictionary definitions give a hint of the deeper meaning of the hope I want to focus on.
MY DEFINITION
The hope I am referring to is a hope that is sure, not just a feeling of wishful thinking. The reason? This hope is based on God’s Word and guaranteed by the Resurrection of Jesus. Because He rose we all will rise in the last day. God gives new incorruptible bodies to all who belong to Him, and we will live forever.
For this corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality. When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory.
1 Corinthians 15:53-54
Therefore, we also have hope in this present life. Because of the resurrection and God’s gift of the Holy Spirit within us, we live with the hope that one day all wrongs will be made right. Every small or great act of kindness and goodness that we practice here will count for eternity. Hope is alive and will never die.
So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.
Hebrews 6:17-19 NLT
HOPE
Hope comes searching in the night when belief is wearing thin, shining glimmers of her light upon a world fraught with sin. Can we see her reaching out? Hope gives us a piece of truth, healing balm our souls may grasp, as reaching forth in the night we seek something real to clasp. Will we ever find that truth? Hope is not a fairy tale giving false security. Hope is always in our sight wrapped in clothes of purity. Why is it so hard to trust? Hope that comes from God is sure, shown by prophecies fulfilled. Jesus came when time was right His great love could not be stilled. Will He help me to believe? Hope will never disappoint, though shadows try to cover. Beams burst forth now, ever bright reminding us forever, Our perfect Hope is Jesus. ~gsw~
Enjoy this energetic song by Michael Card!
I’m linking up with: #InspireMeMonday, Lisa Notes #oneword2022
What a beautiful poem, Gayl. It so captures the power of God at work in our weakness, through the sure and steadfast hope He gives us. I so love the lyrics of Michael Card’s song also. Thank you for your sweet encouragement.
We do struggle, don’t we? But His hope (Word) always rises in us, each day anew. Last night I went to bed asking God to help me with divisive (confusing) thoughts I was battling. I took them captive, asking Him for His Word to me that I might make them obedient to Him. Then, I rested in His peace, falling asleep, trusting Him to provide His Word of discernment. In the morning my Bible app verse gave me the perfectly timed antidote and medicine I needed to rise afresh, undivided. He is so very faithful, isn’t He?
Thank you so much, dear Anna! Yes, we all struggle, and I’m so glad God meets us where we are. It’s not a coincidence that we have what we need when we need it, like the way that verse was so timely for you. He knows and yes, He is so very faithful all the time. May He strengthen our faith and help us shine the Light to others! Blessings and love and hugs to you across the miles, dear sister! xoxo
Your poetry is beautiful and inspiring. I am thankful to have hope in Him. Have a great weekend!
Thank you so much, dear Melissa! Yes, He is our true hope, and I am so thankful. Hope you have a great weekend, too. Blessings to you! xo
Thank you dear Gayl for sharing your Oneword with us, and encouraging us so much. Your poetry is beautiful. And I love the verses about hope that the Lord led you to. He is that Living Word for us, always glimmering with the promise of His hope in us fulfilled. Love and hugs to you dear poet/sister/friend!
Dear Bettie, I’m so encouraged that you were encouraged! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Yes, He is the Living Word giving us hope that will not fail. Love and hugs and blessings right back to you my dear sister/poet/friend! xoxo
This is a hope sure and steadfast, Gayl, “The hope I am referring to is a hope based on God’s Word and guaranteed by the Resurrection of Jesus.” I look forward to hearing more of your journey with hope this year.
Yes, Lisa, a very sure hope! Thank you for your interest in my posts. I look forward to what God shows me about hope this year. Because of Him we do have hope. Blessings to you!
I’m going to “steal” this idea.
I hope your small group is going well, Gayl. (And I just used your word without even realizing it! lol) I emailed with my group tonight; I’m so loving the camaraderie that comes with the smaller groups even as we all still stay connected with the group as a whole. I chose Hope as my One Word a few years back, and I didn’t feel finished with it, so I’ll love following your journey this year. Great post here!
“Hope gives us a piece of truth,
healing balm our souls may grasp,
as reaching forth in the night
we seek something real to clasp.” Beautiful!
Lisa, thank you! Our group has communicated a little. We are encouraging each other via messenger, sharing art work and talking about other things to help us focus on our words. I think when we share we inspire each other! Speaking of not being finished with your word the year you had hope, I don’t think we will ever be finished, do you? There is so much to learn and share. Thank you for organizing the fb page and the small groups. I really think it will help me keep focused this year. Blessings to you, dear sister! xo
Amen! what a beautiful word you’ve chosen, Gayl! May the God of green hope draw close to you this year.
Anita, thank you so much! It is a beautiful word, isn’t it? I’m surprised I haven’t used it before now, but maybe now is the time we all need a lot of hope. So I’m hoping to encourage others as I look for glimpses of hope throughout my life. Blessings to you! xo
Love this. My word for 2020 was hope. My word for this year is “focus.”
Thank you, Cindy! Hope is such a good word, isn’t it? Focus is also a great word! Blessings to you!