November 10, 2010
Today I am Thankful…
…for Hope.
I found that I never really thought much about Hope until the day I realized that I had lost it.
(That realization led me on a journey of discovery about Hope that is continuing still today.)
The following definition from Webster's 1828 dictionary was so thorough that I wanted to share it:
HOPE, n. A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable.
Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it.
Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.
Considering this definition, then, the following verses are very appropriate and make much sense:
Psalm 38:15 "For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God."
Psalm 42:5 "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."
For us to have that expectation of obtaining good, the only safe place to put our hope is in the Lord.
Obtaining Mercy 