When we say we “hope”, we want something to happen and wish for it to happen, but we don’t expect it to happen.

That’s why we say we “hope.”

The Israelites hoped in the coming of their Messiah. They waited for Him. They waited in expectation, and when He came, they missed it.

Our language doesn’t comprehend the way this word “hope” is used in Scripture.

He is our hope.

In Galatians 5:5, it says we are “waiting for the hope of righteousness”.

The hope of righteousness isn’t a what, it’s a Who. And who is righteousness? Jesus.

While the Israelites waited for the Messiah to be a political leader, we wait for Him in a different way.

He wanted a people that were His and His alone.

Once we’re his, nothing can change that. (John 10:29).

It is our job to share the message of hope to others: to the hurting, self-centered, hopeless, hungry and lost.

Why? Because we were once there ourselves.

but sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you… 1 Peter 3:15

–by Pam Rehbein