Hope is the optimistic attitude of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes related to events and circumstances in one’s life or the world at large. As a verb, its definitions include: to expect with confidence and to cherish a desire with anticipation.
Hope comes into its own when crisis looms, opening us to new creative possibilities.
Hope is the driving force that gives a pregnant woman who is about due to give birth to get into a crowded inflated boat and cross the sea from Syria to hopeful safety; walking on the shores of freedom with a baby in her arms.
Hope can help people heal faster and easier. Individuals who maintain hope, especially when battling illness, significantly enhance their chances of recovery.
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Noah was 600 years plus when God told him to build an Ark. Can you imagine what he looked like in his town? This old guy building such a structure. His neighbors must have wondered who he thought God was to command such a task. I am sure there were a lot of Noah jokes going around. He must have owned quite a large piece of property. This thing that he was building was roughly 450 feet long, 45 feet high and 75 feet wide. Not only that but he was miles from any seaport.
Thank goodness he didn’t have to worry about the fish and sea creatures as they were already at home in the water. As the rain came down and the waters rose that stinky ark became a haven for the 8 people and some 35/50,000 species of animals along with their supplies, which to some scholars, the ark had plenty of room to accommodate.
At the appointed time after the rain stopped and the waters were receded Noah stretched his shaky, splintered carpenters hand and released a dove who came back bearing an olive branch.
Crazy Noah saved the world from drowning and God promised never to flood the earth again
Noah built an altar to God and offered up an offering and God promised never again to curse the ground because of people, even though he knew they have a bent toward evil.
And that is the story thread that weaves itself through the entire Bible. The story of hope, redemption, repentance. Vows made and broken, pillar of cloud and pillar of fire. A path through the sea. One who is like the son of man in a fiery furnace. There are the prophets who weep and call for repentance and display God’s love despite the people’s sin.
God comes down, choses a teenager to be his mother and stakes out a stable to be his earthly birthplace. Jesus was born, lived among us, died on a tree and saved the world from drowning.
If we base our hope on the news media and the situations that face our world our hope could be replaced with fear which leads to hate and suffering.
No. O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you; to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NLT
Surely there is a future and your hope will not be cut off. Prov: 23:18 ESV
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