Waiting In Hope

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.” — Psalm 130:5 NKJV 

Waiting can be difficult, frustrating, and even discouraging. We live in a world of instant gratification, where waiting for something seems like a waste of time. But as Christians, waiting in hope is an essential part of our faith journey. Our hope is not in the things of this world but in the promises of God. In Psalm 130:5, the psalmist reminds us of the importance of waiting in hope. To wait in hope is to put your faith in God's promises, as well as His timing! It entails giving Him control over our goals and aspirations so that He can intervene in our lives. Even when it seems like God is being silent or acting slowly, waiting in hope also entails being patient and steadfast. There are numerous instances of waiting in hope throughout the Bible. Abraham patiently awaited the birth of his child for many years, but he held fast to God's promises. Joseph spent year in prison, but he never lost faith in God's plan for his life. And the life of Jesus pro- vides the best illustration of persevering in hope in the whole Bible. Although He came to save us, He had to wait 30 years to start His ministry. Though He went through temptation, rejection, and ultimately the cross, He never gave up on God's purpose.

The promises in God's Word can give us comfort as we wait in hope. The Bible states in Romans 8:25, "But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance." And Isaiah 40:31 says, "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not be faint." In fact, the Hebrew word for "wait" in Isaiah 40:31 can be translated "hope," as is the case in the NIV. Therefore, if you find yourself in a wait-ing period, keep in mind that you are not alone. Be patient and steadfast, wait in hope, and put your faith in God's promises. God is faithful to His Word, and His timing is always best. And the rest part is that your faith in Him deepen daily as you wait.