Hope Renewed
They say that there are two types of people: ones who adapt well to change and those who don’t.
Adapting to change, keeping an open mind, and “pivoting” are things that weren’t always easy for me. Sometimes, it still can be challenging when something unexpected arises and there is a change in my plans or schedule.
I think that some of us would agree that when something shifts, our hope can drift. I believe that sometimes our hope is connected to how we want the outcome to be. It’s what we have set in our minds. When that happens, our hope is squashed by disappointment or frustration. During these moments, our hope is at risk of feeling lost.
I want you to remember Psalm 20:7,
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will remember
and trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
This simply states that some people will put their trust and hope in their own power or wealth. King David wrote this psalm. Having many chariots and horses meant that one had power, advantage, and wealth, but David understood that nothing and no one could compare to the power and favor of his God.
Trusting in the Lord is knowing that God has no rival. Hope is not lost when our hope is in the Lord.
At times, we may get tired of hoping. Our hope can feel weary in the waiting with nothing shifting or moving. We may question and ask, “Will it ever happen?” It can be one specific thing or it could be many things. I just know that in our hope we can feel tired. I call it tired hope.
This is when we call our besties who will pray, give insight and encouragement. These are the girls who speak life and believe even when we might feel too tired to believe. They can help redirect the train of thought that is going nowhere good. Our faith needs to be activated once again to believe in the hope we have in the Lord.
I think of Abraham’s story in Romans 4:18,
“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed.”
When hope might have seemed lost or when it may have been exhausting to hope, Abraham did not waver. He remembered God’s promise to him.
It says in Romans 4:20-24:
“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness- for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
When we remember the Lord and His promises that He has for our lives, this causes HOPE to arise and sparks expectancy in our spirit. Do you have an expectation in your spirit for God’s promises to be fulfilled in your life? We must be careful to guard our hope and link it to God’s promises.
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”
Proverbs 13:12
God does not break His promises nor does He forget them. Our expectation is knowing that when we trust and hope in the Lord, He will guide us and every promise will be fulfilled.
Remind yourself today of this: God’s promises are REAL in my life. When we simply remind ourselves of this truth, our hope is renewed by FAITH.
This is what I call renewed hope.
“When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.” Psalm 94:19
Choosing to stand firm in the faith and trusting in God’s promises renews our hope once again. This is a mental and spiritual response to a physical expression of cheer or joy that will be evident.
Do you feel that hope needs to be renewed today in your heart? I encourage you in this: Hope is not lost. You may feel tired in hope, but wait in expectancy for God to move.
When our hope is renewed in the Lord, we can walk with STEADFAST HOPE. Hebrews 10:23 says:
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”
Steadfast hope is deeply rooted in knowing and trusting the Lord, despite the changes, shifts or lack thereof, regardless of timelines or our own expectations. Steadfast means we can trust His will and His way. We can keep on being faithful in the little things and the big things that come our way. God will always be faithful.
I can think of a few people who exude what it means to walk in steadfast hope. Let’s make it a point to get around people like this often and have conversations about walking with the Lord and cultivating a hope that is steady and true.
It’s time to be intentional with our HOPE. Our hope does not have to waver.
Sometimes, it’s hard to move forward in the unknown and not fully understand what is happening. This is when we need to have these “iron-sharpens-iron conversations” with those hope warriors who have battled through. Maybe you know someone already who you can call to get together for a cup of coffee this week.
A steadfast hope is a hope bound to truth and a promise found in God’s word. It’s knowing the character of our Father.
Hebrews 6:18 states, “Seize the hope set before us.”
Steadfast hope leads us to a lifestyle of living with constant, expectant hope. Hope can be stirred up and come alive once again within you! Where’s your hope today? I’m here to tell you that it is NOT lost.
Find your hope in the one who loves you most: Jesus.
It’s time to renew our hope in the Lord, remain steadfast, and live with expectation!.
-Bethany Marshall
