In the world where unbelievers experience the harshness of life without relationship with Jesus, the word hope permeates culture. Advertising campaigns, books, movies, politicians, even home decorations are marketed using ‘hope’ because it sells. Are we selling hope to the lost or perpetuating a mysterious and obscure ideal that we cannot define and we choose to subscribe to depending on what is happening in our life?
What is hope?
It is a word that has become ubiquitous in our 21st century vocabulary. I would argue that most people when asked to define hope would talk about an emotion. When hope is no longer a euphemism for a wish or an emotional response it is greater than circumstance. Emotions fluctuate and must submit to the Holy Spirit as He rules and reigns our lives; while wish lists takes Jesus from Lord of your life to Santa Clause.
While skimming over definitions of hope in the dictionary I was struck by two words: trust and expectation. Trust indicates relationship—it is established through intimacy. Situations that require hope also stand as a catalyst for building the very trust and intimacy. Hosea 2 talks about intimacy and betrothal occurring following everything being stripped away and being in the desert. I love the beautiful illustration in verse 16 that amongst a barren wasteland the Lord goes from Master to husband. As our relationship with the Lord expands past the realm of servant and master to the intimate relationship of betrothal; trust is established and builds over time as we endure the season of life.
Expectation much like trust is rooted in intimacy with God. As we pursue relationship with the Lord we see His heart because He reveals His secrets to His friends. In addition we develop a heart for what concerns him. This is imperative for believers because instead of guessing or filtering through what we have heard that God desires we know because it has been deposited in our hearts. Armed with the knowledge and revelation from the Lord we begin to expect and declare that His Kingdom be established on earth as it is in heaven just as He does.
As I have read blogs and listened to various podcasts and live feeds of services over the last few months I have been caught of guard by the description of hope in our nation and in our world by Christians. The picture often painted especially when praying for the lost or for revival speakings to the lack of hope, the darkness, the depravity. While I agree that the world is a harsh place and I do not know how someone functions in that without being rooted in Jesus–I do not see a bleak picture. I see a breeding ground for miracles. I see dry bones waiting for someone to make a declaration over them. I see springs coming forth in the desert. He calls what is not into being!!! As we place our trust, faith, and expectation in the Lord the we should have nothing but HOPE!
I am overwhelmed by the power that comes as we wait and hope in the Lord even as I type this, not just for the perishing, but for those that know the Lord. Life happens, death, destruction, illness, we all have fractures in our lives that the Lord never intended for us to have. This is not His system–this is man’s way laden with the effects of sin. Life in Christ affords us a better way; wholeness, healing, restoration, freedom, victory —as we place our trust in Him, His Kingdom will be established in our lives regardless of the circumstance that surround us.
