Word of the Day - Hope

Today was a day of restlessness and discomfort for me.  There is no real rhyme or reason for the feelings; they were just there.  I've noticed that lately there haven't been any real reasons for a lot of my feelings lately and for me that is frustrating.  I think part of it today is because I don't have Ethan and days without him are always hard.  I miss his laugh and his constant energy.  I find myself constantly hoping that he is doing ok and that he is having fun with his daddy, Marissa, and Makenna.  

You know, hope is an interesting concept to wrap your head around.  When you hope for something it is only a concept or idea until it happens.  Then and only then does that hope turns into a reality.  According to the dictionary the word hope means to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.  People frequently have a hope for something to happen.  Do you ever have a hope for God?  Do you ever have a hope that God will answer your prayer in way form or another or with a particular answer?  Do you ever wonder if God has a hope for you?  As I'm writing this I wonder if God has a hope for me?  I wonder if he ever hopes that I will make one decision over another or that I will go the direction that He has marked out for me.  The biblical definition of hope is a firm assurance regarding things that are unclear and unknown.

Hope is used in the NIV translation of the Bible in 180 verses 189 times.  While reading the verses the following are the ones that stood out to me the most.

**Job 8:13 - Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless.
**Psalm 25:3 - No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.
**Psalm 62:5 - Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
**Lamentations 3:25 - The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
**Romans 5:1 - [ Peace and Hope ] Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
**Romans 8:24-25 - For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
**1 Peter 3:15 - But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Heavenly Father, as I go about my days ahead I pray that you would watch over me and protect me.  I pray that you would take my hopes and turn them into the reality that you have set forth for me.  Please watch over my family, friends, and even those that I do not know.  May they forever be able to find their hope in you.  For all the glory and power be yours God, now and forever more.  Amen.

As you go through your days ahead may you not lose your hope in Christ.  I pray that you are able to keep your eyes on Him and that the things you hope for come to pass in the way God intends them to.  My hope for you is that your days may be filled with peace and blessings and comfort be given where needed.  [May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13]