Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope;
    even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.

• Zechariah 9:12

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

• Hebrews 6:19

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?

• Romans 8:24

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

• Hebrews 11:1

“Hope is the quality within our hearts which enables us to continue going. It is the thing which gives meaning and direction to our lives. The hope of glory – an eternal hope – is the aim and goal of every living soul, obtained only through faith in our Redeemer and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Hope is the anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast … It is firmly anchored within the being of every Christian and sustains him through every adversity. Romans 8:24 tells us that ‘we are saved by hope.’
“Hope is a vital and living thing or it is nothing at all. Without hope, life may be compared with dead ashes; but with a vibrant hope in our heart, life is a magnificent triumph, for in hope lies our belief in His resurrection and of our life with Him in eternity.”

• Roy Z. Kemp, Measure for Living

Boilerplate

In this new mini-series, I found an old book of mine in my wife’s things.  I did not know that she had it, but she loved collecting inspirational poems.  She had a knack for skimming over the subject matter that the Sunday school class would discuss.  Then she would thumb through the poetry and devotional books on the shelf and seemingly pick one at random.  Then she would open the book to a seemingly random page and read a prayer or two.  Then she would nod her head and place a bookmark at what she had found.  Then after the Sunday school class had wandered around the subject, going down various rabbit holes along the way, she would end the class with the poem and a short prayer.  And the poem seemed to summarize what we had talked about, even the side trails down rabbit holes.  It fit so perfectly every time.

I do not think she ever quoted this book, but it was a keepsake.  I had never read it.  The inscription in the front of the book states, “It has been a joy to have had you this year.  It has been a friendship I will cherish.”  It was signed by the woman who lived next door to my mother’s mother.  She taught piano and organ.  I took organ lessons.

Do not ask me to play anything on the piano.  I learned by gently gliding over the keys, not by striking them.  And after 55+ years of not practicing, I would be lost after a few bars of Swingin’ Shepherd Blues.

Discussion

We are prisoners of hope according to Zechariah. I suppose we are.  We believe in the unseen, but we experience God in other ways every day.  But then, the Romans Scripture says that if we see it, it is no longer hope.

But the way we see God is that we see God in things, physical things or events.  Answered prayer is a great way to see God every day, which means we need to pray more.  But we see God in those things because we hope.  God gives us those “wink back at you” moments.

That hope keeps us grounded to that firm foundation in God.  “In God We Trust” is not just a slogan, it is life itself.

And I left the Hebrews 11 Scripture from last week since confidence in hope is part of Faith.

We should never lose hope because God never changes, and He loves us.

Closing Prayer

“Hope is not a frail thing,
But one good and strong;
Hope can give you courage
When everything goes wrong.

Hope can be a cheerful friend,
Hope can bring you peace;
Hope can conquer terror,
Cause all your fears to cease.

Hope was made for everyone,
So hope is never odd;
Hope brings great delight
For hope comes straight from God.”

• Roy Z. Kemp, Measure for Living (Hope)

“Father, guide me.  Help me feel the poetry.  Thank You for the gift of hope.  You keep watch over me.  I may stumble at times, but You love me.  You care for me and You let me know.  Each day we have wide-eyed excitement, hoping for that little sign that says that You go before us.  In Thy Name I pray.
“Amen”

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.