The Power of Hope

I got a huge glimmer of hope this week.

An amazing, powerful, wonderful reminder that God can do what He says He can do.

I just had this overwhelming peace and love envelope me this week.

And, wouldn't you know it...stupid satan tried to ruin it all. Someone tried very hard to squash my hope...and I almost let them...but when I realized what was going on, I put my foot down.
Hope is such a powerful thing. It gives flight to the realization that things really could turn out good...or a dream really could come true...or that God really is trustworthy.
The events of this week made me want to look up a bunch of verses on hope. I decided to share a few of them with you (all taken from the NIV):

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
(Psalm 25:4-6)

In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.
(Psalm 33:21-22)

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
(Psalm 62:5-6)

Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.
(Psalm 119:116)

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.
(Psalm 130:5)

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
(Romans 12:12)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
(Romans 15:13)

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
(Hebrews 10:22-24)

Oh man...

Putting our hope in people on this earth will only let us down. I can hope all I want that a person will change their ways...but that doesn't mean they will. I can hope with everything in me that a friend will realize how much they need God in their lives...but that doesn't mean they'll actually make that decision. And yet, when we put our hope in God, all these things are possible.
I love how Psalm 103:5 says that, "...in his word, I put my hope." That is where our hope should reside. And, Hebrews 10:23 says, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess." The hope we should be professing is the hope we have in Christ! The hope He's given us by the mere fact that we can take Him at His word. He fulfills His promises. He is trustworthy. He is never going to leave us or forsake us.

Where has your hope been lying? In those around you? Or in your Savior? Do you truly believe He can do what He says He can do...and that He WILL do it? Or, do you doubt?

Trust me...I've been in the doubting camp a lot. I was just there last week, in fact. I still have my moments. But I'm learning to hold onto hope...because my God will fulfill His promises in my life...and in yours. Praise be to Him!

(Taken on our trip to Santa Cruz in January. I didn't get a good pic of the beach from the retreat, so this beach will have to do)

(Note: The phrase "God can do what He says He can do" comes from Beth Moore's Believing God study. It's amazing. If you've never checked out a Beth Moore study before, I definitely recommend that one.)