I think I’ve missed the Hope boat! Really! I am just beginning to fully understand the difference between faith and hope. And how crucial unwavering hope is in life!
“But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Cor. 13:13
Abide = meno – to be held, kept, continually
Faith = pistis – conviction or belief in respect to man’s relationship to God and divine things; belief with the predominate idea of trust
Hope = elpis – joyful and confident expectation of good
Love = agape – brotherly love, affection, good will, benevolence**
Yesterday, God showed me how important joy steeped with hope is to my faith. This morning I look up the word hope and there joy is right in its definition! Hope is a joyful, confident expectation of God’s good. His goodness in general and in regards to me personally—my life, my loves, my ministry, my every thing!
That’s what I’ve been missing! Hope! I have not been walking joyfully and confidently in God’s proven character and so my faith—my trust in Him—has been affected!
Ahhhh! I’m getting it, God! Thank you!!!
So I’m packing my bags and boarding the Hope boat for the next few days to see what I can learn. I hope (sorry J...had to do it!) you’ll join me as I start mining the depths of the Word to see what truths God’s going to unpack for me concerning hope and joy!
I feel the excitement of actually standing along the rail of a cruise ship looking forward with anticipation to the adventure. That’s what growing in wisdom is all about. Not to be puffed up with knowledge and spiritual pride, but to grow closer to His heart.
That’s abiding! There’s no striving!
Rest knowing you are on God’s path. He will show you all you need to know as you walk along with Him. He is patient and will take all the time you need to help you grow and be at peace in your faith.
No striving, no anxiety...but restful communion with Him!
**(The New Testament Greek Lexicon)
