One of the most elusive things in our lives is hope. It isn’t based on things we can see, but on things we can’t. When I’m in the overwhelming moments, hope can be hard to hold tight. It feels better to hold onto control or manipulation. Those two options places my hope in myself and my abilities, and they are likely to fail. My hope is better placed in something less tangible but far more constant and stable. If I am going to try to get my hands on something it's better to be gripping God's hand than a grasp for control.
There are so many verses in Hebrews that include the word hope. I've been reading it this last week and I get delighted each time it creeps up, like God is pointing it out to me. I've been circling it every time I see it. (PS if you don't write in your Bible how do you ever find things again?) My Bible is well lived in. I've made it my own. Here are some of the cool places I've noticed "hope" pop up and the ideas that are with it. Go find them in your Bible and circle them.
All from Hebrews:
"we are His house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope" (3:6).
"we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises" (6:11&12).
"…we have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us" (6:18).
"We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor for the soul, a hope that enters
into the inner place behind the curtain (6:19).
(for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God" (7:19).
If you just read these verses here, you are cheating yourself of the beauty of each in context, please, please go find them in your Bible and see them in all their richness. See how Jesus is the hope that enters into the Holy place behind the curtain as our high priest. See How Jesus is the better hope that is introduced for us because He upheld the law for us. Don't miss the richness that ties our hope tightly up with the name of Jesus. Because of Him we can draw near to God.
Hope is available. It's just as available for exhaustion and simple frustration as it is for life-threatening or impossible looking situations. There is hope for sickness, hope for disappointment, hope in grief, hope in annoyance, hope in extremes, hope in relationships, hope for provision, hope for relief, and ultimately hope in death. Jesus is in each of these situations with us. When we choose to hold His hand instead of grasp at things we cannot hold onto, we can feel His steady presence, we can draw near and feel his strength.
God help me hope. Let me have so much confidence that I boast in it (3:6). Help my hope be just as anchored in you when I feel your nearness as when I feel hopeless. Keep my hand tightly in yours for both. Remind me when I try to take back my hand and control my circumstances that I will be steady if I just keep it tucked tightly in Yours. Let hope in my heart keep me from being sluggish or playing the victim because I am not. I am your child and I have promises to inherit. Help me keep my grip on hope as I rest assured you keep your grip on me.
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