What are you Hoping for?

I’ve hoped for many things in life—some have materialized and some have not.  Perhaps some of those hopes were just wants and not what I really needed, but I know that in the midst of all of my hopes the Lord has heard me.  Some of my hopes the Lord has confirmed as being a stirring in my heart from Him; others, He has gently laid to rest and guided me through the pain of my disappointment.  The hopes and desires, the promises that come from Him, and that He confirms, bear His “Yes” and “Amen” because they ARE from Him and will be accomplished through Him (2 Corinthians 1:20).

But what happens when the Lord confirms a hope in our hearts and the realization of that hope appears to be slow in coming?  Will we become impatient like Sarah and take matters into our own hands (Genesis 16) or perhaps suffer patiently like Joseph (Genesis 37 and 42)?  Waiting on God’s promises can be difficult.  Proverbs 13:12 confirms this:  “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.”  The good news is that when the hope is realized, it will bring life.  Why?  Because it is from God and His timing and ways are never wrong.

The coming of Jesus was a long awaited hope and promise, but…one day…at the appointed time, the hope was made manifest.  The desire of Israel was fulfilled and the Savior of the world was born (Luke 2)…and ultimately, the desire of a Gracious, Merciful and Loving God was fulfilled through Him, Jesus Christ (John 19 and 20), and the hope that all mankind could be restored to their Maker was made complete.  And we have yet another hope; we fervently await His return—the return of our Messiah (Revelation 22:20).

Today, what are you hoping for?  Is it from the Lord?  Then wait.  His timing never fails, and that promise fulfilled in its proper time will bring you life.  Do not grow weary, but put your hope in Him.  And if the hope you have is not from the Lord, then allow Him to guide you away from it.  Trust in the Lord today (Proverbs 3:5,6).