Psalm 31:23-24                                         

“Love the LORD, all His saints!  The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud He pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.”

I “hope” he chooses me! I “hope” he chooses me! Those were the words that went through my mind as sides were being chosen for some game when I was a young boy. Suffice it to say that I was usually one of the last to be called. More like a booby-prize than a cherished prize.

That concept of the meaning of the word “hope” seems to be all too common. It is thought of as wishing for something that probably will not happen, but we know the likelihood is very slim.

Let me correct that idea for us once and for all. The Hebrew word for “hope” as used here is the word, yachal. It carries with it the meaning of expectation. Do you hear that? It is waiting for something the Lord has prepared especially for us!

Please read that last sentence over one more time. It is not what we desire for ourselves, but what God wants to do in and through us. I think the greatest joy in life is to be used of God.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!

- – - Pastor Cecil