HOPE IS THE WORD

There is so much meat in just the definition alone. “Believing in fulfillment, expecting to come to pass, most importantly, “someone in which hopes are centered in.” In other words, someone who is centered on God and God alone.

"The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love...But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." -Psalm 147:11 & Psalm 40:31

What are you hoping for? We are all hoping for something in our lives. I want to explain the difference between wishful hope and hope in God. Don't be fooled there is a huge difference. Biblical hope is not a wish; it surely will happen. Whatever God has placed in our hearts, that hope doesn’t die. We don’t say, “I sure hope so!” Rather it is, “I know so because my hope is in God and God alone no matter what I think, feel, hear, or see.”

It isn’t that I am wishing for the best outcome. It isn’t that I'm waiting to see how it will turn out. Hope is not considered a feeling or an emotion; it's a fact! Hope is the knowledge of facts. Look at this definition, "desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment also: expectation of fulfillment or success." It clearly outlines, "Belief in fulfillment! It expects to come into fulfillment or success!"

So, then, what kind of hope am I talking about? I'm talking about God's plans for our lives. I'm talking about living Godly before Him. It means going through a tough time and not giving up or walking away from God's promises. I'm talking about surrendering our lives to the King of kings and Lord of lords. I'm talking about desiring the will of God above what we think is best. I'm ultimately talking about choosing to walk by faith and not by sight no matter what obstacles and ridicule comes our way. I'm talking about as the Word says, “Those who put their hope in his unfailing love." What have you put your hope in? A spouse, your money, education, family, career, talents, whatever you put your hope in, I'm sorry to tell you it's misplaced. God is the Giver of all those things, but our hope must be in God and God alone.

Let’s look at the words in this passage that precede it, "The LORD delights in those who fear him." We are not afraid of God. We are reverencing him. When we obey and follow Him and walk with Him in obedience, it will be evident in our lives by our words and actions. He delights in us! This means that hopes and dreams really are from Him. He created us individually unique to fulfill a destiny through us. Therefore, those hopes and desires are of Him to begin with. Those who really walk with God are trophies of His great mercy and love to a dark and sinful world. We become the light that leads others to God.

Let's be real. In life we face many, many trials and difficulties, especially those who have a calling on their lives. Some trials are of our own making by wrong and sinful choices we have made or by what others have done to us. I want to encourage you today by reminding you who you belong to. If you belong to God and you are truly walking with Him then remember that “He delights in those who fear him, and put their hope in him.” When you put your hope in God and God alone, you can trust that the outcome is going to be an awesome one.

Finally, "But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

What are you hoping for? Wait patiently in what God has promised you. Don't give up! God always brings to pass what He has promised. His way and in His time. There are things God is doing in the spiritual realm that we cannot see by the carnal eye except by the Spirit. He is telling us to wait with great expectation and to be patient in the wait as He brings about His promises to us.

Get walking in the narrow and straight way. “God delights in those who fear him.” To those who are walking upright, keep going. The trials in our lives are tests of our faithfulness to continue to Hope in Christ. Keep waiting on God, He is never late. He will bring to pass what He promised. It shall come to pass in due time. He will never abandon the work of His hands...YOU.

Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro

Founder and President

Thread of Hope, Inc.