Submitted by Pastor Kailea Nauman, First Christian Church

Hope. It is such a small word but with such a big meaning. The Webster dictionary definition of hope is “A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.”

Hope in the New Testament is from the Greek word Elpis. Elpis means “Expectation, trust, confidence.” It also means to anticipate with pleasure.

Hope in the Old Testament derives from several Hebrew verbs that could be translated “to hope.” One of them “Qawa” may mean “hope and trust.”

In the Old Testament believers are waiting and hoping on the Lord. The Lord that delivers them, the Lord that saves them from their affliction and pain, from their bondage and their circumstances. The Lord that delivers them into the Promised land and into their joy.

In the New Testament our hope is found in Christ Jesus who delivers us, who loves us, who chose us and saves us from our bondage, our pain and our affliction. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13: 6-8

So, where are you placing your hope? Are you placing your hope in your desires, your dreams in things of this world, in money? Or are you seeking the Lord’s will, the Lord’s desires for your life? And then are you trusting the Lord to deliver you? Are you trusting the Lord to provide for you?

Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. And Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers, the flowers fades but the word of our God stands forever.”

The Lord wants to deliver you, the Lord will provide for you. Where are you putting your hope? I will leave you with this scripture, My prayer is you will seek the Lord. Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”