Sunday Reflection - Hope

1 Timothy 1:1 -- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,...

Have you ever hoped for something?  Kids hope for things all the time - a toy, a pony, their parents to get along.  Beauty pageant contestants always hope for world peace - or whirled peas, I'm not sure.

The Bible has a lot to say about hope.  Job talked about his hope a lot.

Job 6:8 "Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for, ...

The Psalms say even more about hope.

Psalm 31:24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. 

The Old Testament Hebrew word for hope is 'tiqvah' which literall means a cord, as an attachment.  The New Testament Greek word is 'elpis' which means to anticipate, usually with pleasure and confidence.

Over the years I have hoped for many things.  I hoped that Betty and I would get married some day.  When I was in the Navy and our ship was in Vietnam I hoped we would get home safely.  I hoped both of our boys would be born healthy.  I hoped they would find good Christian girls.  I hoped my career would provide for my family and for Betty and me in retirement.  I hoped Betty would get over her horse accident several years ago without any lasting damage to her body or spirit.  I hoped I would survive my prostate cancer.  And, on and on.

It's safe to say that I was attached, as with a cord, to each of those things I hoped for - and I hoped in confidence that my hopes would come to fruition.

You know what?   Hope sounds a lot like prayer.