Hope
George Stiekes
For in Thee, O LORD, do I hope: Thou wilt hear, O LORD my God. Psalm 38:15
The Hebrew word for HOPE here more literally means, to wait, to be patient, to tarry and even to trust. The Greek word emphasizes trust and expectation. Our English word is much the same emphasizing confidence or faith in something or someone; to believe, rely, and desire.
Hope sees the invisible and believes in the reality of circumstances that have not yet taken place. This is why Peter was able to write: Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (I Peter 1:6-7). We can rejoice regardless of the trials and heartaches that may be taking place in our lives. We have all heard it said – “Praise the Lord anyway!”
That is the whole point. The Lord has given us physical life and everlasting life. He promises that He will never leave or forsake His own (Hebrews 13:5). He has given us His Word, the Bible, whose pages are filled with comfort and hope. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope (Romans 15:4). This is not a wishful desire that all will turn out right but a confidence that all things will work together for good (Romans 8:28). When things look hopeless, we must always turn to the Scriptures. When we trust the Lord, hope will always outlast trouble. In fact, God is greater than any trouble that might come into our lives.
We should never forget that God never indicated that life would be easy on this sin-cursed earth. In fact, His Word does not even tell us that the Christian life will be easy. He allows our faith to be tested. Indeed we suffer just as non-Christians, however, it is in the midst of our suffering that the presence of the Lord in our lives allows us to be comforted and provides the ability of looking beyond the suffering. God is so good to us. The psalmist wrote, Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance (Psalm 42:5).
George Stiekes held successful pastorates in churches in Michigan and Washington among other places. He currently resides in North Carolina and blogs at Reverent Reflections. We recommend his ministry and republish his material by permission.