Last night, I awoke in the middle of the night and couldn't get back to sleep.  So I got up and prayed for friends and family for a little while and then did some searching in the scriptures for the word HOPE.  I noticed at least three different uses of the word.

1. The Hope that comes through God's Word -- as we know His Word and meditate on it, God will fill our doubting hearts with His Hope (Psalm 119, 130, 131).

2. The act of placing our hope in God, as the only source of hope -- there are many things we can put our trust in or place our desires for completion and wholeness in, but only God will fill that void for us with hope (Psalm 31, 33, 42, 146).

3. The promise of Hope that comes through the work of God in our lives through His spirit -- that it is a grace of God to not only give us His Spirit to fill our lives with good fruit, but also to bring Hope when going through various trials (Romans 8, 2 Thessalonians 2).


From Psalm 119:145 - 152

 145 I cry out with my whole heart;
         Hear me, O LORD!
         I will keep Your statutes.
 146 I cry out to You;
         Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.
 147 I rise before the dawning of the morning,
         And cry for help;
         I hope in Your word.
 148 My eyes are awake through the night watches,
         That I may meditate on Your word.
 149 Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;
         O LORD, revive me according to Your justice.
 150 They draw near who follow after wickedness;
         They are far from Your law.
 151 You are near, O LORD,
         And all Your commandments are truth.
 152 Concerning Your testimonies,
         I have known of old that You have founded them forever.