A Dream, a Hope . . .

There are fundamental differences in hopes and dreams.  Webster’s dictionary defines a dream as a strongly desired goal or purpose, and hope as to desire with expectation of obtainment or to expect with confidence.  The main difference, then, in a dream and hope is that one has the expectation of being met, while it remains to be seen whether the other will occur.  We can have confidence in one, but there is not certainty in the other.

While researching hope, I discovered that it has two synonyms:  trust and expect.  In fact, trust is the archaic meaning of hope.  Now, if you think about it, do we use that word with a sense of trust and expectation today?  Not really.  When we use the word hope, it is usually with a foundation of uncertainty. For example:  I hope to go to college one day.  In essence, you are saying you want, possibly even expect, to go but do not know for certain if you will or not.  Your circumstances (money, time, etc.) cause you to question whether you will obtain your goal or not.

When we use hope in any other way than to mean a desire with the expectation of receiving the desired thing, we are not really using the word in its proper context.  What we really mean when we are not certain of receiving something we wish for is that we dream of having it.  There is a strong desire to reach a goal or possess a particular object, but there is no certainty of obtaining the goal or object.

Here is an illustration of what hope truly is.  I am not a winter person.  The cold weather, shortened days, and lack of sunshine start getting to me after a spell and I become somewhat depressed.  Some days it’s a real task just getting out of the bed, and evenings find me fast asleep on the couch by 9:00 p.m.  I really believe I would go totally over the edge if I did not have something to hope in, and that hope is in the coming spring.  I have a confident expectation that spring will come sometime in March.  I know that if I just  patiently live one day at a time, spring will come! 

Psalm 16:9 says ". . . my flesh also shall rest in hope".  This writer meant that he resides, dwells, and abides in a place of refuge.  There is a place of security and safety that he continues in because, as we can see in the previous verses, he has set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.  The Lord is always in his sight.

Going back to the beginning of this chapter, we see some things about the writer of this Psalm.  Among other things, he:

• He calls out to God for preserve him
• He has put his trust in God
• He has made God his Lord

What about you?  When things seem hopeless, what are your spiritual eyes trained on?  Your problems?  Your trials?  Your need?  Do you acknowledge your need of God in both the good times and the bad?  Are you putting your trust in your own abilities or God's?  Are you at rest during the hard times?  If not, you can be!  Rest in the Lord!  Psalm 37:7 tells us to rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.

We go through so much in our lives; there are so many expectations for how things should be.  The only way to get through without going insane is to rest in the Lord.  Be patient as He works in your life!  Stay where you are and delay any action until He moves you or changes the circumstances!  He is your hope, your rest, your hiding place!  Keep a silent heart in the hard times!

Psalm 31: 24 instructs us to be of good courage.  In other words, restrain yourself, be strong, and fasten upon the Lord!  Why?  So that He can strengthen your heart.  A strengthened heart is secured and given endurance!  Whose heart shall be strengtened?  All ye that hope in the LORD!   In this instance, hope has more of a meaning of trusting, tarrying, and waiting on the Lord. 

These verses remind me of our misuse of hope and when I read that faith is the substance of things hoped for!  In other words, hope is made up of faith!  If you are not certain of something, if it does not have all of your trust, then it isn't really hope.  It's just a "maybe so, maybe not" sort of thing.

The next time you use the word hope in conversation, stop.  Ask yourself what you mean when you speak of hope.  Is it a full and sincere trust in God?  Are you resting in hope?  Is it the kind of hope that brings security and endurance to walk the path God has set before you?

Psalm 43:5

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Posted by Anonymous

Thank you Julia for your words of inspiration today. I've not had the best day but after reading your blog today I feel encouraged!! God Bless You!
bearingfruit

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