Hope--Day 1

What strength do I have, that I should still hope?What prospects, that I should be patient? Job 6:11

The Merriman-Webster on-line dictionary defines hope when used as a transitive verb as:

           1. to desire with expectation of obtainment

           2. to expect with confidence
              (https://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/hope).

I looked up the term transitive verb too, since it has been awhile since I studied grammar.  Here is what I found: 

 A transitive verb has two characteristics.
First, it is an action verb, expressing a doable activity like kick, want, paint write, eat, clean
Second, it must have a direct object, something or someone who receives the action of the verb (http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/transitiveverb.htm).

In thinking about Job 6:11 in light of this definition, hope then, is an action of expectation in some outcome (direct object).

The second definition—confidently expecting something to happen—one would assume that this particular something would be a positive or desired something.

I have often come to the book of Job to learn how to depend on faith alone when all else seems to be falling apart around me. Job is asking how he could possibly still find a reason for hope. I think the end of his story is that God alone is hope. No matter what is happening—no matter how dreadful and hopeless things might appear, we still carry with us the real-live genuine hope in our living God. This is the same hope that Jesus kept in the forefront while enduring his torture and crucifixion. This is the same hope that his mother, Mary held in her heart when she faced ridicule and dishonor over a pregnancy out of wedlock. This is the same hope that kept Paul’s mental state confident and sharp enough to pen his amazing epistles even while incarcerated. Or that gave Stephen the ability to be at peace and ask forgiveness for his murderers as he was being stoned to death.

We have many examples of hope. When we expect with confidence that something better is ahead, that is hope. When we don’t look at circumstances, but rather expect to see the desires of our heart to come true, that is hope. 

I will be exploring this amazing gift that we have been given—the gift of hope. I know there will be many more nuggets of understanding a-waiting, and I am looking forward to (that is hope!) finding some incredible jewels in the days ahead.

Stay tuned!