Psalm 33:22
Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
Point: There is a direct link between daily hope and the abundant elements we receive from God. This hope is absolute confidence that the abundance of God will come according to His infinite wisdom and perfect will.
Psalm 39:7
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
Let us look at the commentary before I state the point of this verse as it may not be easily understood in its reading.
And now, Lord, what wait I for? - Look for, or expect, in this view of things? not long life, since the days of man are so short, and his age as nothing; not help from man, since he is altogether vanity; not riches and honour, since they are such poor, fading, perishing things; but the glories of another world, and the enjoyment of the Lord himself, both in this and that;
My hope is in thee - the psalmist now returns to himself, and comes to his right mind, and to a right way of judging and acting; making the Lord the object of his hope and trust, expecting all good things, grace and glory, alone from him; and this is the hope which makes not ashamed. ~John Gill
Point: You and I live in this world and we go through each day surrounded by the elements of this world. We do not put our hopes in these. All true help comes from God and we put all our hope in Him. Indeed, we expect all good things from Him and our daily confidence is that they will be there. This confidence makes you Sanguine… “dwelling on hopeful aspects” and “expecting a favorable outcome."
All this adds to what we learned in the sermons, “Assiduity” [putting all things in the hands of God] and “Verity” [seeing the invisible God]. If you are doing your assiduity prayers in the morning, then you are counting on and expecting God to intervene in each and every part of your life during each and every day. Surely, if you are seeing these multiple interventions and the continual providence from God, you ARE seeing the invisible God. Where else could your hope possibly be? The assiduity and verity are feeding your hopes. They are establishing them. The elements of the world, including all trials, tribulations, concerns and sorrow diminish. Now there is no way you could put your hope in them AND there is no way you could allow them to get you down.
Let us look at a few more Hope scriptures.
Psalm 119:81 ...what we just spoke about: worldly sorrows vs. trust in God
CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
Point: Our physical bodies, emotions and minds fainteth [long for] "thy salvation" which is referring to both kinds of salvation. We long for eternal salvation and the Kingdom and we long for salvation from the struggle of this day and each day in which we struggle. Notice the commentary for, "but I hope in thy word."
But I hope in thy word - the word of promise concerning deliverance and salvation, especially by the Messiah, which supported him, and kept him from fainting; that being firm and sure, for ever settled in heaven, and has the oath of God annexed to it, for the confirmation of it; and God is faithful that has promised, and is also able to perform; so that his word lays a solid foundation for faith and hope. ~John Gill
Point of this commentary: When facing another day on this earth, we get through it by dwelling on the Word of God which if full of promises, oaths, providence and confirmations from God. We know that God is faithful and will intercede into each aspect of our lives. Notice four more scriptures from Psalm 119 which speak to Hope coming from the Word of God
Psalm 119:42
So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
Psalm 119:49
Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
Psalm 119:77
Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
Psalm 119:114
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Notice a bit of commentary for these verses:
Verse 42
For I trust in thy word - I believe it; I rely on it; I confide in that, as my only comfort and protection. ~Barnes Notes
Verse 49
Upon which thou hast caused me to hope - That is, All the hope which I have has been excited by thy word; thy promises. I have no other source of hope; I cherish no other hope. I pray now, since that hope has been thus excited in me, that I may realize all I have been led to desire and to expect. The word of God is the only foundation of hope for people; and when our hopes are fairly built on that, we have a right to appeal to God that he will make it good. ~Barnes Notes
Verse 114
Thou art my hiding place - From temporal calamities. The perfections of God are chambers of retreat and safety to his people, where they may hide themselves and be safe, till such calamities are over. ~John Gill
And my shield - to protect from all dangers, and preserve from every enemy. ~John Gill
I hope in thy Word - There is a twofold and mutual recognition conveyed in this passage. God recognizes man in his helplessness and dependency, and man recognizes God in the mercy, and compassion, and goodness of His character and relationship to His creatures. And thus the basis of Christian hope is to be found in the Divine testimony, conveyed in the writings of Moses and the prophets, of Christ and His apostles. ~The Biblical Illustrator
Maybe all these scriptures speaking to hope being established by our full immersion into the Word of God can be summed up in a cartoon recently sent to me. [I will describe the cartoon for those listening to the audio.]
In the first panel we have a firstfruit on his knees calling out to God, “Lord, please talk to me.” In the second panel we see the strong arm of an angel reaching out of the clouds and handing the man a Bible.
Our daily hope is in the Word of God. Fully immerse yourself into it.
Let us now go to the Bible Story for a quote.
From Volume 1 of the Bible Story, Chapter 30, "Moses Returns":
“On repentance, God is pleased to forgive and remove sin by blotting out all past mistakes, but to gain everlasting life, one must live from then on by the Creator's rules, which are for happiness, good health and success. Often they are difficult to obey, but God gives ability to overcome and a growing hope of becoming a spirit being. (Matthew 10:22.)”
Essential Elements for Daily Hope
Following are just a few of the essential elements needed for daily hope. As you continue to immerse yourself into the Word of God, you will add to these.
To have daily Hope one needs: A Plan
Proverbs 21:5
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
The New International version reads:
The plans of the diligent lead to profit.
The New Living Translation reads:
“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”
The New American Standard Bible reads:
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage.”
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness - A man that is thoughtful and studious, and wisely forms schemes in his mind, and diligently pursues them; the issue of it is, generally speaking, prosperity and plenty: such a man is usually thriving and flourishing; and this holds good in things spiritual, as well as in things temporal. ~John Gill
Quotes on having a plan
---"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much."
---"You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win."
---"Failing to plan is planning to fail."
---"Plan your work for today and every day, then work your plan." ~Margaret Thatcher
---"Having a goal is a state of happiness."
And as you make your plans, keep in mind that...
Proverbs 16:9
A man's heart deviseth his way [makes his plans]: but the LORD directeth his steps.
To have daily Hope one needs: Purpose
Ephesians 1:11
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Ephesians 6:22
Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
Colossians 4:8
Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
2 Timothy 1:9
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Ephesians 1:7-21 ...Paul speaking to the Ephesians on his being called to go to the Gentiles
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
2 Timothy 3:10
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience.
Commentary:
Purpose - were open and manifest; and which were not to obtain glory and applause from men, nor to gather wealth and riches for himself; but that God might be glorified in the salvation of men; that Christ might be magnified both in his life and death; that his Gospel might be spread, his kingdom be enlarged, and that many souls might be converted and brought to the knowledge of him; and hence he became all things to all, that he might gain some. ~John Gill