On a Hope and a Prayer

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  Romans 5:5

My daughter expressed her hopes about the coming school year as if wishing on a star, rolling a series of “I wish ____________….” statements off her tongue.  She’s but a babe in Christ, so it’s not surprising she’d speak in terms that are the best this world can muster. It’s not, however, the best Jesus has for her or any of God’s children.

Christian hope is a bird of a different feather, nothing like the hope of this world.  It’s not a wishing, but a confidence.  The Greek word, elpis, translated ‘hope,’ literally means an “expectation of good” and occurs 54 times in the New Testament, from Acts to 1 John 3.  Having a confident hope is blessing enough, but this Greek word encompasses joyful anticipation as well!

If you knew what it’s like, as a child, to look forward to Christmas because you knew you would get good gifts, then you understand this bible hope I’m talking about.  It’s not making a list for Santa and “hoping” you get something off it, if you’re good.  It’s knowing that your parents are good to you and they’re looking to bless you.

If imperfect parents have a heart to bless their children, how much more so our DADDY God (Matthew 7:11)? That’s why we can come boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16)!  We’re coming to a good Father, who loves being good to His children.  Whatever concerns us, concerns Him.  We can pour out our heart’s desires to Him, in Jesus’ name, confident that He hears, He will answer, and His answer will be good.

When my daughter shared her “wish list,” I smiled and reminded her we don’t have to wish, we have the privilege of praying to DADDY God.  It’s the God-given right of every believer.  I encouraged her to pray her hopes, confident that DADDY God has already gone ahead and prepared a great school year for her.

Likewise, I encourage YOU to pray with a confident expectation of God’s goodness!

NOTE: I’m celebrating the freedom DADDY God has given me in Christ (as shared in my book)!  I invite YOU to join me.  The E-book is now $3.99, for the rest of July! 

Thanks for reading my post.  I hope you’re encouraged!

My book is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Encourages women to move past the limits of their relationships with their fathers to find identity, acceptance, and unconditional love in the ultimate DADDY-daughter relationship with God.