Take a ‘Hope bath’ in the Word today. (26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, Ephesians 5)
17 Do not let your heart envy sinners,
but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
18 There is SURELY A FUTURE HOPE FOR YOU (Confess ME/US),
and YOUR (MY/OUR) HOPE WILL NOT BE CUT OFF. Proverbs 23
The Word of God tells us repeatedly that ‘Our Hope’ will not be cut off, so we need to guard and stand on this promise.
13 EAT HONEY, MY CHILD, FOR IT IS GOOD;
honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.
14 Know also that wisdom is like honey for you:
If you find it, there is a future hope for you, (God wants sweet things for us His people, it’s the enemy who brings bitterness to us)
and YOUR HOPE WILL NOT BE CUT OFF. Proverbs 24
Many of the Psalms speak about Hope, David often declared his Hope in God (he made a demand on heaven).
18 But God will NEVER FORGET THE NEEDY;
the HOPE OF THE AFFLICTED WILL NEVER PERISH. Psalm 9
The psalmist states that God will remember these two groups of people who desperately needed reassurance.
31 but those who HOPE IN THE LORD
WILL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40
HOPE ignites encouragement and renews our determination to press on. That’s why it’s good to Praise God in difficult times.
5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
PUT YOUR HOPE IN GOD,
FOR I WILL YET PRAISE HIM,
my Saviour and my God. Psalm 45
Jeremiah (the weeping prophet) also had some great things to say about God’s Hope for Israel.
13 O LORD, THE HOPE OF ISRAEL;
all who forsake you will be put to shame.
… THE SPRING OF LIVING WATER. Jeremiah 17
Jeremiah calls God, ‘The Hope of Israel’, part of God’s identity for His people and no less so today.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, PLANS TO GIVE YOU A HOPE AND A FUTURE. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, Jeremiah 29
Israel were in exile, taken away from their own land after repeated warnings from the Lord. But even when they were so far away from their home, God reassured them of His care and their eventual return. God gave them His promise and hope for the days ahead. It was important for them (AND US) to know He was with them and had only good plans for their future.
May God bless and keep you in these days.