1: to desire with expectation of obtainment

“To desire with an expectation of obtainment.” This isn’t the same kind of hope used in sentences millions of times every day. “I hope it doesn’t rain”, “I hope I pass the test”, “I hope I get that bike I wanted”. This kind of hope reflects a desire with no guarantee of that desires fulfillment. It is wistfulness tempered by the knowledge that for every prayer for a sunny rain free day, there are others praying for rain, who desperately need rain. This hope drowns in the reality that although I hope for a good grade, I didn’t really study and prepare so I neither deserve it nor will likely get it. This is not the hope I am speaking of.

The hope that enables me to overcome sorrow, pain, grief, fear, and anger is as beautiful and mysterious as its benefactor. It is present in hospital rooms across the world as family encircles a loved one passing into eternity. This hope mingles with the grief and pain of  wives, children, dads, and friends forced to say goodbye long before they ever dreamed or expected. This hope does not banish the gut wrenching pain of love betrayed. It does not erase the pain of abuse, neglect, and abandonment. This hope doesn’t create fairy tail “happily ever after” ending it does something far greater and more powerful. This hope enables the hurt, wounded and bewildered to look past the present, and into the future where the fulfillment of Hope awaits, He who will whipe away every tear and broken heart. This merciful gift called Hope allows the suffering to breath, live, and survive in a world we so often long to escape.

This is not The World We All Want! and deep within our being, is a soul crying out for more. As my heart suffers, yearns, and groans, I am not overwhelmed by these emotions, but rather spurred on by them. My pain and suffering is a stark reminder that there is more. Laying just beyond this world of confusion, turmoil, and disappointment is Forever. The Lord of Eternity, Forever, Grace, Hope, Belief, and my Atonement  reigns there. In His presence is the absence of pain, suffering, sorrow, and the world my heart yearns for.  My days, moments, and life is in His hands. His heart breaks with mine, and He is exalted when I triumph. Death is not the end, it is the glorious beginning of eternity and forever. This is my hope and expectation. The King of Kings, who conquered sin and death through the wondrous sacrifice of His blameless body on the tree reigns King over chaos. No matter how dark or painful my day may be, He is there.  His Glory, and the Life that awaits me pales in comparison to the momentary afflictions I endure. He is my hope! He is my cherished desire, and expectation, and one day I will see Him face to face. He will wipe away every tear and mend my broken and corrupt heart and soul. He will be my Abba Father, my God, and I will be His!

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

According to his great mercy,

he has caused us to be born again

to a living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

I Peter 1:3