“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

HOPE: the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.

When we say we hope something will happen, we’re not talking about a flimsy dream that most likely will never become a reality; we’re saying we’re confident what we hope for will actually occur. Hebrews 11 is called the Hall of Faith because it names people in the Bible who showed great faith in their walk with God; And yet if we go back to Hebrews 11:1, we discover how closely their faith is linked to hope. Their faith brought about results because they placed their hope in God and the promises found in His word.

We can also have life-changing hope. Hope implies something not yet received or accomplished but that we’re confident will in time come to pass. However, we need to make certain our hope is channeled in the right direction. When we place our hope in ourselves or someone else, we often discover our hope is misplaced. But if our hope is in God and His promises, we won’t be disappointed.

Romans 4:18-21 gives an example of a man who believed God despite the impossibility of his situation. “In hope against hope he (Abraham) believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s (his wife) womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God promised, He was able also to perform.” 

God promised to make Abraham a father of many nations, but years passed and Abraham remained childless. As he neared his 100th birthday, the prospect of becoming a father looked impossible, and yet “in hope against hope he believed.”

How about you? Are you facing a situation today that looks impossible? Because we serve the God of the impossible, I’ve learned if I take my impossibilities to Him, my hope is renewed. What may look impossible to us will seem as nothing to God. So whatever looks impossible to you today, take it to God, then wait expectantly to see what He’s going to do.

“In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch” (for Your answer). Psalm 5:3

Dear Lord, help me remember no matter how difficult or impossible my circumstances may seem, if I trust in You, there is always hope. Amen.

~~~~~~

Now at my bungalow retreat, where I depict country living, bungalow-style through words and pictures: The Cat’s Meow. I hope you’ll drop for a visit. www.bungalowretreat.com