So the biblical idea of hope is much more than a hope that no one ate that last piece of chocolate cake before you got home from work . It is deeper than the hope that your spouse does the dishes that have piled up in the sink or that the rabbi ’ s sermon doesn ’ t go too long .
The hope we are talking about is a powerful , patient expectation that brings you through deep suffering and challenges in life . In most cases , what the prophets are waiting and hoping for is God Himself .
1 . HOPE IS WAITING WITH CONFIDENCE
Biblical hope is based on a person . It is different than being optimistic , which means that you are longing for a better situation or circumstance . Our hope is based on the faithfulness and trustworthiness of our all powerful Father in Heaven . This gives us the ability to hope with confidence in Him .
“ Even youths grow tired and weary , and young men stumble and fall , but they who wait [ hope ] for ADONAI will renew their strength . They will soar up with wings as eagles . They will run , and not grow weary . They will walk , and not be faint .” Isaiah 40:30-31 TLV
“ וְקוֹיֵ ֤ יְהוָה֙ יַחֲ לִ ֣יפוּ כֹ ֔חַ יַעֲל֥וּ אֵ ֖בֶ ר כַּנּ ְשׁ ָ רִ ֑ים יָר ֙וּצוּ֙ וְל ֹ ֣א יִיגָ ֔עוּ יֵלְ כ֖וּ וְל ֹ ֥א יִיעָ ֽפוּ ׃ פ ”
ישעיה 40:31 Westminster Leningrad Codex ( WLC )
“ Let us hold fast the unwavering confession of hope , for He who promised is faithful . And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good deeds . And do not neglect our own meetings , as is the habit of some , but encourage one another — and all the more so as you see the Day approaching .” - Hebrews 10:23-25 TLV
2 . HOPE IS SUFFERING WITH EXPECTATION
This is one of the most crucial lessons to learn as a believer . The only way that we can make sense of the suffering in the world and the injustices and trauma we experience is to have an unwavering hope that God will set everything in order in the future .
O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3 • T I K K U N A M E R I C A R E S T O R E | 0 8