We are in a situation right now where we need hope. We need something to look forward to. We need something beyond our current situation.

Most, if not all of us, have had to cancel any plans for vacation, travel, parties, sporting events, children’s events, family reunions and many other things. It is easy to put our hope in things we look forward to. Some have been out of a job for a while or just lost their job in the past few weeks. If you are an investor, you’ve most likely lost money in the stock market. It is easy to put our hope in finances or in the markets. We are facing a global pandemic. Many are getting sick. It is easy to put our hope in our health. I could go on.

None of these things are bad, but all of these things fail us. So, where do we find hope in something that will last?

I think it’s important to first define hope.

Miriam Webster defines hope as:  “To cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to happen or be true; to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment; to expect with confidence.” I know we all “hope” for an end to this pandemic.

These are good definitions of hope. But, in life, we can hope and be disappointed since everything and everyone in the world is broken. Our hope is often misplaced.

Hope was meant to be placed in something that won’t disappoint, that isn’t broken, that won’t let us down. Because deep in the human heart is the desire to hope in something dependable. Otherwise, hope is really just a wish, isn’t it? We need something concrete. We need assurance. Good news! We have it.

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

You see, faith and hope go hand in hand. Faith is knowing FOR SURE that our hope is not in vain.

So, then, in what do we hope, or really, in whom do we hope that won’t be in vain?

HOPE IN GOD.

Real hope is a confident expectation that God will keep every single one of His promises.  It’s not a wish or a fairytale because God is the only One who won’t disappoint us.

“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence” (Psalm 42:5).

We’ve heard this verse a thousand times. Still, we need to remind ourselves and each other that our hope is in God. Why? Because hope in God isn’t natural. It’s easy to be cast down and anxious when all the things we’ve held dear are falling apart and when we don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. We have to struggle and fight. However, we were not meant to struggle and fight alone, but alongside other people in the community of faith. We need each other. We need to be there for each other, and not just for our friends and family. There are people in our community who are alone and scared and have needs. My pastor encouraged all of us in our online service last week, to call three people and encourage them. There are many ways to reach out. Maybe write someone a note, or bring food, or pray with someone. Let’s encourage one another, pray for each other, and hope in God together.

 

Robyn Wilk is the founder of Le’Chayim (To Life!) Ministries where she serves as a Jewish Outreach Specialist and Consultant. If your church, home group, home school group, Bible study, Sunday school or Bible study would like a Messiah in the Passover presentation or Seder, please contact Robyn at www.lechayim.org to schedule.