As you know the condition of our heart and our mindsets have an enormous impact on our capacity to ‘live abundantly’. The season we live in is impacting our hearts, our minds, our well-being. In response to our predicament, Garry Hardingham, one of our leaders has produced a daily devotional titled, “40 Days of Hope and Renewal”
There is a link to this series on our Facebook page and Website. We are happy to print and copy the series for you week by week if you want it. Personally I am including it in my daily devotions. I’ve included for you, as a taster, excerpts from Day 1– Laying the Foundation
The Bible has quite a lot to say about hope.
Biblical hope has as its foundation faith in God. The word hope in English often conveys doubt. For instance, “I hope the Aussies beat the poms again” In addition, the word hope is often followed by the word so. This is the answer that some may give when asked if they think that they will go to heaven when they die. They say, “I hope so.”
However, that is not the meaning of the words usually translated “hope” in the Bible.
In the Old Testament the Hebrew word batah has the meaning of confidence, security, and being without care; therefore, the concept of doubt is not part of this word.
In most instances in the New Testament, the word hope is the Greek elpis/elpizo. Again, there is no doubt attached to this word. Therefore, biblical hope is a confident expectation or assurance based upon a sure foundation for which we wait with joy and full confidence. In other words, “There is no doubt about it!”
Hebrews 11:1 is a classic understanding of this New Testament hope; “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Our faith is confident assurance, for it is founded upon the Rock of our salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith is built upon confident assurance of hope in God.
Biblical hope is not a feeling. It is a reality!!
Biblical hope is a sure foundation upon which we not only build our lives,
but perceive the world around us.
This is the hope that should hold us firm
in the midst of uncertain days.
Prayer:
Lord,
In the midst of so many messages,
So many contradictions that thwart and confuse, Let me hear you say, “I am your hope”
Fill me today with a hope that is so strong, so clear that it drowns out all other voices
and guides me ever closer to you.
For God, you are my hope and I trust in You. Amen