hope.

Abigail's Photography.

"Hope." 

1.  to place trust; rely

2. to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence

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

4. a person or thing in which expectations are centered

Seems like this word is used quite a bit nowadays (e.g. political campaigns). Sometimes I think people's hope has ended up just like this pack of cigarettes. . .tossed. I look around and I can see the loss of hope in people's faces and I can hear the loss of hope in the way people talk about current situations (personal, economical, political situations, the list goes on). It breaks my heart!

Whenever something bad happens we all get into this hype of "hope,". . .we get a high off using the term "hope," but then it seems as if after awhile, the effect of the word fades; it's as if we have run out of hope. I think it's because we are finding our source of hope in all the wrong places. There is nothing wrong with having hope and all coming together in hope, but it is wrong when we are seeking only things or people to provide hope. Eventually that thing or person fails to consistently provide hope causing a loss of it.

I have to admit, I have lost hope in a lot of things in the past, but what I have come to know and am still learning is to hold tightly to a hope that never fails, a hope that never ceases, a hope that is abundant, and a hope that lasts forever. It is a hope that can NEVER be tossed out, abandoned, or used up. . .its source is Jesus. I am speaking from experience. . .He consistently provides this hope that we desire, this hope we long for, an unfailing and everlasting hope. Jesus provides hope for the broken. Not only is He our source of hope, but He is the only thing and person we should place our hope IN! He will never fail us.

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him."

-Psalm 62:5

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

-Isaiah 40:30-31

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."

-1 Timothy 6:17

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"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."

-Hebrews 6:19