Your Daily Slice

 

TEVET 21

Hope

  

“endurance produces character, and character produces HOPE …” (Rom 5:4 CJB, emphasis mine)

 

Noah Webster has an interesting definition of the word ‘hope’: “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.”^[1]  (emphasis mine).  I have also understood that the basic difference between a hope and a desire is that hope is birthed in the mind and spirit, whereas desire comes from emotions, both good and bad.

 

The Greek word used in this verse is elpis (Strong’s G1680), and means an anticipation or expectation of good.  When we look closely at other places within the Apostolic Writings (New Testament) where this word has been used, we find that it defines itself.  For example, in Titus 1:2 we find this word elpis used in connection with everlasting life: “in expectation of everlasting life which Elohim, who does not lie, promised before times of old” (emphasis mine).  This is certainly a hope that all of us who profess to be disciples of the living Elohim reach for.  Romans 15:4 tells us “For whatever was written before was written for our instruction, that through endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have the expectation” (emphasis mine).  Expectation of what?  Everlasting life.

 

I have, in the past, walked through a season of absolute hopelessness, a dark and depressing place to be.  However, when I was finally able to come through this season, appear out the other side, the lessons learned were vital.  In whom do I place my expectations and hope?  In my Creator, Redeemer, and Father, the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, He is my hope. 

  

“And not only so, but even we ourselves who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, we ourselves also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.  For in THIS expectation we were saved, but expectation that is seen IS NOT expectation, for when anyone sees, does he expect it?  And if we expect what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with endurance.”  Rom 8:23-25 ISR 2009, emphasis mine)

 

©2021

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[1] American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828