Two of my grandchildren live in a house with a big picture window looking out over the driveway. They are known for setting up operations there in the window whenever they get wind of an upcoming visit from Bam and Bamp. Of course, having no concept of time, they might start looking for us right after breakfast—even if their mum tells them we’re not due until afternoon.
Their little faces in the window come to mind when I read Psalm 33:20-22:
Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.”
Far from being misguided or presumptuous, hope in God is solid and well-placed. It’s a confident expectation, not a cross-your-fingers aspiration.
Hope in God is a confident expectation, not a cross-your-fingers aspiration.
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There’s nothing else strong enough to bear the weight of all your hopes. If your hope is in your gifts and abilities, your beloved family, your appearance, your good health, or your investments, you’re making deposits to an account that will always be overdrawn.
A wish is what we think will give us happiness.
Hope is what we believe about the character of God.
Wishes are based on human fantasies.
Hopes are based on God’s promises.
And so we pray with confidence—not confidence in our prayers, but confidence in the God who hears:
“Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”
Holding You in the Light,
A wish is what we think will give us happiness. Hope is what we believe about the character of God. Wishes are based on human fantasies. Hopes are based on God’s promises.
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Living Our Days 
Well said Michele! I love the analogy of your grands
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They are growing up so fast! I cherish the sight of their sweet faces in the window.
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While we wait, how glorious that he shares his beautiful Earth (waiting place) for us. Have a good Sunday and week.
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That’s such a great point!
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Even when I feel like I know what my heart is hoping for I often have a hard time putting it into words. There are so many things I hope for– for my immediate family, for more distant family members, for our town and state and country and the world. All those feels and hopes can easily get jumbled up.
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Well said, Joanne! I think we all struggle to put words around our hopes for those who are dearest to us.
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Love this “And so we pray with confidence—not confidence in our prayers, but confidence in the God who hears”. What a great way to describe the power behind the confidence of prayer ~ Rosie
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Yes, our hope is in God alone, in his promises, and his character as revealed in Scripture.
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Good distinction! This reminds me of the old hymn . . .
My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
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Ah, yes! That’s our hope!
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Hi Michele,Just wanted to say th
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Hi to you!
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What a great picture of our hope in God, especially anticipating Christ’s return
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Yes! It trulyl is The Blessed Hope!
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I snapped a sweet picture of my twin grandbabies waiting at the window for their mommy. I wonder if the Lord takes pics of us waiting? 🙂
“Hope is what we believe about the character of God.” Amen! And everytime I study His Word, I learn more about His character, and my hope is strengthened.
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I am sure that the picture is adorable!
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Hope in God is a “confident expectation.” Amen! He is always true to His promises.
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I’m all for sticking close to the truth so that words about God’s character drown out any doubt.
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Loved the sweet word picture of your dear grands waiting! Those young ones can teach us so much about pure hope and trust!
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They teach me all the time!
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I was right there in the window with your grands! And in the etymologic discomfort of wanting to send birthday wishes – when it should be birthday hopes – but it just doesn’t seem as grand, though it is more so. Believing in the God who fulfills hopes that you have a blessed week!
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Thank you so much for the “hopes”—and for the etymological carefulness!🤣
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I like how you said: “Wishes are based on human fantasies.
Hopes are based on God’s promises.” We live with real hope supported by God’s character.
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That’s the focus of our hope—a sure foundation!
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Hi Michele-I appreciate the reminder that our hope in Christ is a sure thing! I’m sure you are blessed to see those grandkids waiting in the window! 🙂
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Love their little faces!
(And when we leave, they watch us to the road and ask us to beep the horn to say goodbye!)
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