Hope

The Hebrew translation of hope is "confident expectation". Oftentimes we use it more like the word wish. Clearly, hope is more than wishing. Hope is so much of what our lives consist of.  

Emily Dickinson penned,

"Hope is the thing with feathers 

That perches in the soul

And sings the tune without words 

And never stops-at all."

It never stops at all. If we exercised hope like the definition implies, our expectation of the outcome would be confidence of fulfillment . I am sad to say most of us, including me, don't. 

Confident expectation. BELIEVING in what you have asked for and BELIEVING it will happen.

Matthew 21:22 was given to me this morning.

"And whatever things you ask for in prayer, BELIEVING, you will receive."

Believing is the key word. My belief is central to my hope...

Not gonna lie. The past few days have been very emotional for me. I return Wednesday to my oncologist to find out my fate. As I opened my devotional this morning...BOOM! TWO pages of why we should still believe in miracles and in Christ's power. Ephesians 3:20, "God is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in you."

He is able. And we should have full confidence in His ability. Not that doubts won't arise, but that when we place our trust in Him, He will ease our doubt and give us the strength and confidence we need. 

God doesn't expect us to understand everything. He expects us to trust Him when we don't understand. Whatever you ask, BELIEVING, you will be given. He will grant whatever you need, but there has to be a foundation of belief... True belief that He is who He says He is and He will do what He promises in scripture. 

Oh, and it may not happen right away. That is where hope comes in. Have the confident expectation that He hears you and will answer you... When He is ready. 

Just wait on Him with hope and trust. He knows what He's doing. He has not abandoned us and He never will. 

Monica