Hope

Good Morning,

Psalm 39:7 (NIV)
But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.
Psalm 39:7 (NLT)
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.
Psalm 119:114 (NIV)
You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.
Psalm 146:5 (NIV)
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God
Psalm 69:6 (NIV)
May those who hope in you
not be disgraced because of me,
O Lord, the LORD Almighty;
may those who seek you
not be put to shame because of me,
O God of Israel.

My friend Alan sent along the first verse of Scripture that I've placed here for us today, Psalm 39:7. After thinking about it for a time, I looked up "hope" in just the book of Psalms and was a bit taken when I saw how many times David put hope into his writings. I didn't count them as I don't think the number is important, just the fact that his hope was in the Lord and that we ought to take heed that we put our hope in God as well.

"And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?" Now that's a question that begs an honest answer, don't you think? David tells us that he put his hope in the Lord God. I put a few of those verses in here today just for a bit of emphasis and because I felt led to look and see...then to send along...verses about hope. So, where do we, in this world today, but our hope and hopes?

Do we put our hope in politics in some way? Thinking that this way of thinking is better than another? That this politician is going to be the "hope" of our age and our world?

Do we put our hope in the stock market? With thoughts of wealth and riches that can be obtained by making the right investment choices? With the idea that if it's good enough for some who have become wealthy, then surely it's good enough for me?

Do we put our hopes in business activities? Not that they are wrong, of course, but only thinking about the dollars that can be earned without regard for exactly how we are earning them?

Do we put our hope in a spouse? Another loved one? With the desire that this person will be the "cure all" for our woes and cares?

Do we put our hope in the ways of the world? Maybe in combinations of a little of this and a little of that?

Honestly, there are many, many things that we can put our hope in. And there are many, many of us who have opted to...at least somewhat...put our hope in them. Some things have worked out pretty well and others have not. In the final analysis, however, have we put our hope in things and ways that are, perhaps, the wrong things and ways?

What we read today, of course, tells us that if we put our hope in anyplace or anything or anyone EXCEPT for the Lord God Almighty, then we have erred. I think it is pretty clear that David wrote about putting hope only in God. In Psalm 119:114 we read, "...I have put my hope in your word." I believe that is putting it in the Living Word, Jesus Christ.

I suppose that what God is speaking to me today is that we need to look at where we've been, where we are, and where we are going, especially when it comes to where we are putting our hope and hopes. God raises these questions in us and for us so that we can make proper and right decisions as we walk this live we've been given. You see, we can NEVER be wrong or mistaken when we put our hope in God. He IS our hope.

I put Psalm 69:6 into this message today because it spoke directly to me and I thought it might speak a bit to someone else or even several of us. When I sit and put my hands on the keyboard to begin trying to say what I hear God speaking to me, it is a great responsibility. An honor and privilege, yes, but also a responsibility to be faithful to what I hear from the Lord. It is my fervent prayer that none, not one single person, who puts his or her hope in the Lord, would ever be disgraced put to any shame whatsoever because of me. I'm sure there are others who will have this same prayer. It is my prayer that I be obedient to what God has called me to do and that nothing that ever comes from me would bring dishonor, shame, or disgrace in any way to a follower of Jesus Christ. Just as I put my hope in God, I put my hope also in that He will guide me and keep me doing what He wants me to do.

Hope. Think about it. Where is it aimed?

Love, peace, and blessings,

David