No matter what I see, there’s this overwhelming hope that burns within me…this feeling that this is only the beginning. God has so much more in store for me. And this hope, is what keeps me going. This hope, is what gives me the strength to walk in faith, even in the midst of my fear and doubt. It’s a gift given to me by my Creator. This was His plan all along. He made me for purpose, and He empowered me to walk towards that purpose.
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)
God gives us hope for the future that He’s planned for us.
I love this verse from the book of Jeremiah; it’s honestly one of my favorites. But until recently, I’ve always focused my attention on the fact that God has an amazing plan for us. And for some reason, I’ve always brushed past the fact that He has hope planned for us as well. Hope for what? Hope for our future. Hope that we will see everything that He has planned for us. This is good news, because I think the majority of us equate hope with being optimistic. I’ve always thought that one’s level of hope was dependent on their personality or life experiences, but my study of this subject in the bible has shown me something completely different.
God is the source of our hope.
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NLT)
The hope that we have is not the result of our circumstances. Our hope, was given to us by our Creator. He doesn’t just make plans for us…He gives us hope for those plans. He gives us a burning desire…a feeling within, that leads us towards the purpose that He has for us. And that feeling of hope, is what drives us to walk in faith.
Hope fuels our desire to walk in faith.
As I pondered this subject, I began to see how significant hope is. If God gives us hope for His plan, I think it’s safe to say that our hopes give us an indication of what that plan is.
What has God given you hope for? Has He given you hope that your family will be made whole? Has He given you hope that your situation will be turned around for your good? Has He given you hope that your story will be used for His glory? If He has given you hope in an area of your life, ask yourself this question…
Why would God give me hope for something that He has no intention of providing?
We serve a good God. A God that has good things planned for us. He has a plan to turn our situations around. He has a plan to use everything we’ve been through for our good. And He has given us a hope for those things. If He has given us hope, we can be certain that He intends to move in that area of our lives.
Your hope is your promise.
Your hope is proof of what God intends to do in your life. It doesn’t matter what your circumstance looks like right now. The fact that you have hope, is proof that God has more in store for you.
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. (Hebrews 10:23 NLT)
Cling to the hope that He has given to you. Hold on tight, until what you’re hoping for comes to pass in your life. God can be trusted. You can have faith that He will keep every promise that He has given you.
Maybe you’re reading this and you’re feeling low on hope. Today, I believe the Creator wants to restore hope to you. And I believe He wants to give you new hope today. Spend time in His presence…worshiping Him. Allow Him to speak to you. Read His word…this is where you will find promise for your life, and this is where you will gain hope for that promise.
Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. (Romans 15:4 NLT)
Wherever you are in life, I want to reassure you that this is only the beginning of what God has in store for you. He has a plan to heal your brokenness. He has a plan to restore the things that you have lost. He has a plan to use your story as proof of His goodness and faithfulness. He has a promise with your name on it. And He has given you hope for that promise. A hope that will preserve you through your fear and doubt. A hope that will enable you to stand firm while you wait on Him. So cling to this gift of hope that He has given you. Allow it to strengthen you…allow it to lead you to the promise that He has for you.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for creating me for purpose, and thank you for the gift of hope that leads me towards purpose. I know that since you’ve given me this hope, that you will also enable me to walk in the promises that you have for me. So, today I am making the decision to cling tightly to what you have shown me. I will wait on you…no matter what the situation looks like. And I know that as I wait on you, my strength will be renewed. I know that you will enable me to do everything that you have called me to do. I will trust in you. All my hope is in you Father. I love you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
