Louise Gevers

“Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

What is hope? Are we celebrating the many things that people wish for every day, big and small, some immediate, others on a bucket list? These may never remain more than wishes, and may never be realised.

Looking at current happenings in our country, and around the world, it becomes apparent that what’s so often missing are people who can bring hope into dark, difficult situations. But they can only bring hope if they themselves have hope. Metaphorically speaking, blind leaders only bring despair; leaders are inspired when they believe in a power higher than themselves. The things of this world will never bring true hope because hope that is only for the here and now isn’t true hope at all, and leaders that have no higher source of reference than themselves have little to offer.

Hope is needed in every element of life. Solomon noted, along with every woman who has ever waited to be pregnant, that, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12) We see all too often the negative effects that long painful years of waiting can have on those waiting for earthly things.

This is not the type of hope that the Bible speaks of, the hope that Believers celebrate. This hope has confidence because Believers “rejoice in the hope of the glory of God … And hope does not disappoint … because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:2,5) Hope is part of faith. Read Hebrews 11:1.

When Christians celebrate hope, it’s like celebrating a wedding in all its immediate splendour and in the richness that it will bring. It is something that holds great promise. So much more will come from it than what we see happening on the wedding day.

Essentially, the marriage will bring together two people into a covenant relationship under God and the law, which brings two families together and creates the expectation of a new line through the children the couple will have; and this will bond them together further. But there’s a whole lot more that happens besides. The children, the fruit of their union, bring new life and great joy into the family; and in their turn, great promise.

The marriage covenant is liberating in the start of new life together, in which mutual love and care enriches and enables each one to flourish and reach new heights, exactly as our hope in God does forus. “The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.” (Habakkuk 3:19)

The sheep are promoted - and we celebrate!

Prayer: All-wise Father, Thank You for the hope of Your glory that elevates our understanding on earth, and allows us always to celebrate Your goodness. Amen