Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
How is your hope? What is your hope in? Hope is an important choice in life. Psychologists tell us that hope is a choice to look to the positive, to place our trust in someone or something trustworthy. That’s tough these days as some of what people put their hope in, like a political party, a mentor, a government, finances, a cause, a job, a relationship, and the list goes on, has not been so trustworthy. The constant barrage of this pandemic, its restrictions, and its effects on people have caused many to lose hope. Yet, hope matters.
Hope is not just an intellectual choice or exercise. Yes, it is a choice of our mind to take in the insights of God, but where hope begins its transforming power to bring positivity to life, as well as peace and calm to anxiety, is when we believe or give our heart over to what we place our hope in. Hope matters. Faith in God can bring hope!
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Isaiah 40:31 but they who wait (hope) for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Psalm 27:13-14 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait (hope in) for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait (hope) for the LORD!
Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
To wait on or hope in the Lord is to believe in who God is.
Psalm 147:5-11 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre! He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
God is great and the truth is, He knows us.
Psalm 139:1-3 O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.
Psalm 139 goes on to talk about how we are each fearfully and wonderfully made by Him. We can place hope in God for He knows us better than we know ourselves. Hope matters.
Lately, there has been so much that can dampen our hope. It seems every time we turn on the news, our hopes are crushed. Yet hope can be renewed and revitalized. It’s a choice. Why not consider, or reconsider, or be conscious of our amazing God and find your hope in Him? I believe that choice can bring peace, calm, and even empower us to take on our day. Hope in God matters.
Church is a great place to be inspired to place our hope in God. If you don’t have a church you regularly attend, we would like to invite you to view or visit Neighborhood Church. Our website has all the information you need for times and locations of all our Sunday gatherings. We would love for you to join in. You can also find us online at neighborhoodchurch.com. As well, if you would like to view any of our past worship gatherings or videos, visit our YouTube channel, or just search Neighborhood Church Cypress or Neighborhood Church Los Alamitos on their YouTube site.
Seeking to find hope in God along with you,
