Active Hope

Therefore I will look to the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation, my God will hear me. 

(Micah 7:7)

When everything is going according to plan and our expected result is near, there is an excitement in the air.  The hope that moves us towards our goals is so powerful that we walk with a spring in our feet.  This is noticeable even to others, for the strength of our expectation is almost palpable to those who are watching our lives.  For the individual, it is like the sun has a direct ray on his path, one which is uniquely leading him.  Conversely, there are times when our hearts are down and no matter the effort we make, we feel like we are carrying a heavy weight on our shoulders.  The weight of the world and the disappointment of our expectation becomes a visible weight on our frame and this is visible to others too.  In these down moments, we still need to push ourselves through the activities of life and admittedly, it does at times feel difficult.  This is where we need something to lift our perspective from the burden we carry to the confidence that the situation will change.  We need hope to move forward.

Our reference verse comes from a passage in the bible, referring to one facing betrayal by those closest to him, so that there is none he can look up to.  When facing this deep frustration and fear of life, the prophet Micah tells us to look up to the Lord, wait on Him with the assurance that God will hear us.  This is an action of active hope, when all else looks doom and gloom yet the prophet reminds us that we can look to God who will not fail us.  I call it active hope for nothing around him gives an indication of a way out, but deep within his heart, there is a conviction that God will answer him, that God will not fail him like others have failed.  The word of God tells us that that faith,  hope and love remain (I Corinthians 13:13).  Faith and hope go together, we have known God’s love for us through faith and we have learnt that He never changes and never fails, so we can keep our hope on the assurance of His character.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).  He has in the past shown up for His people and He will do it again even now, He is dependable.  Regardless of what are facing in life, we can stand on His good plans for us, plans for our good and for a good ending (Jeremiah 29:11).  Even in situations when our reality looks dark, that does not change His word nor dilute the efficacy of His promise to His children. We know that He promises to renew our strength when we wait upon Him (Isaiah 40:31), that is the hope that we carry.  It is just a matter of time before He makes us soar like eagles over that which seems to put us down.

Beloved, our life in God is born out of hope, a hope not  seen but nevertheless existent, a hope that we also wait for patiently (Romans 8:24-25).  Hope is a central ingredient of our walk of faith and yes, our hope in God through and by His love will never disappoint (Romans 5:5).  The hope we carry is greater than the day to day battles we face, ours is to hold on.  As long as we stand as righteous and leaning only on the Holy Spirit of God, our expectations will not fail but will result in joy (Proverbs 10:28).  Beloved, no matter what the pressures of life throw your way, keep your hope alive for you will not be disappointed.  Our Father will see to the fulfillment of the hope that you have placed in Him and in His word. 

Thoughts:

 In which areas are you keeping hope alive?

 How are you handling the disappointments of life?

 What memoirs are you keeping of hope fulfilled?