Hope, what is it?

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. ~Romans 8:24-25  

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~Romans 15:13

“Hope appears 126 times in the Bible (KJV). 68 times in the Old Testament and 58 times in the New Testament and hoped is mentioned 11 times. 7 in the Old Testament and 4 in the New Testament”

For the past couple of months I have been constantly reminded of the word “hope” and that’s expected since we have a city-wide work day coming up called “Celebration of Hope” and much of what we do is about “Hope” but when thinking about it, what does hope truly mean or is it just a buzz word that is thrown around so much that it doesn’t have a meaning or it has lost it’s meaning?

I feel like in today’s world, the word hope is just another word that sounds good and is tossed around so much that it has lost it’s meaning but when looking at it biblically, “hope is an indication of certainty. “Hope” in Scripture means a strong and confident expectation.” Hope isn’t necessarily something that can be seen but it’s something that will eventually happen. Hope is the vessel to peace and joy, if there is no hope then it’s hard to find ourselves in a place where we have peace and joy.

When talking with various residents in the neighborhoods that we serve as we get ready for “Celebration of hope” and when listening to the stories and what they are or have gone through then it is evident why hope is needed.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” ~Romans 12:12 

 “But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish” ~Psalm 9:18 

During one of the home visits the homeowner was brought to tears and was grateful for the help that she was going to receive. Both she and her mother had spent many visits in the hospital and sick yet she was still hopeful for what was to come. She had mentioned how she was fixing up the inside of the house so it would be ready for when her mother arrived back home from another stay in the hospital. Just listening to her and her story and what she was facing was enough to bring the neighborhood leader to tears and a reminder of why it is that we do what we do. She had hope in what was to come and that gave her peace and joy. She not only had hope but I would as far as saying that she gave us hope in what we are doing. After numerous home visits, trying to solidify and get the houses to work on, etc it can be draining and at times wondering why are we doing it but it takes one act of gratitude and one story of hope to remind us why we are doing what we do and make all the work that goes into it worth it and keeps us moving forward and doing the work we do.

 “Why are you downcast, o my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God,    for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” ~Psalm 43:5 

 “There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off” ~Proverbs 23:18

Hope isn’t always something that can be seen but it’s something that is felt and is needed. Without hope then people would give up. Hope is what gives us life and what keeps us moving forward even in the hard times… Hope is needed everyday and we need to help bring the hope of Christ to others. Without hope, there is nothing. Therefore, hope is ultimately the thing that gives us life and is the reason for tomorrow. But the ultimate hope should be in Christ Jesus.