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True Hope for Our Hearts

The eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love. PSALM 33:18

Turn on your television and you’ll see a kaleidoscope of hope. The housing industry hopes for an economic recovery. The incoming administration hopes to change our country. Recent New Year’s resolutions reflect our hopes for improvement.

We could each add a hope of our own to the list. Perhaps yours is a hope for a loved one to return safely from deployment. Maybe you hope this year you’ll beat the diagnosis. You might hope for your marriage to be reconciled. Or you may be hoping today for a job to replace the one recently lost.

In the book of Psalms, King David uses the phrase ‘hope for’ one time. But he uses the phrase “hope is in” six times. Over and over he essentially says to God, “My hope is in you.” That kind of hope is based on an unshakeable trust in God and a belief that only He can save us and truly fulfill the desires of our hearts.

For several years, my husband and I have struggled with starting a family. When we began that journey, our hope was for a baby. While that hope is still there, we’re also discovering that placing our hope in God is where our hearts truly find rest. My youngest nephew was dedicated in church last Sunday and I felt the ache return. Silently I began to repeat, “Lord, I know you. I trust you no matter what happens. You have blessed us so much—if you are withholding this from us then it is for a good and loving reason.” As we began to worship, the hurt in my heart slowly was replaced once again by an inexplicable hope.

There’s something about shifting our focus from what we hope for to who we hope in that soothes our souls and brings healing to our hearts. None of us know what the future will hold but we do know the One who holds every moment of our lives in His hands. As we celebrate and begin a new year, may we firmly place our hope in the God who came for us and promises to be with us always. In the unending kaleidoscope of hope around us and within us, He is the One who never changes.

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