What is the basis for hope? ∙∙

What is the basis for hope? ∙∙

His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:23-24

Lamentations 3:1-3

 1 I have seen the afflictions that come from the rod of the LORD’s anger.

 2 He has led me into darkness, shutting out all light.

 3 He has turned his hand against me again and again, all day long.

Lamentations 3:12-24 [paraphrased and shortened]

He has made me His target, piercing my heart with sorrow. My own people mock me endlessly. Bitterness fills me, and peace feels like a distant memory. I cry out, “All I hoped for is gone!” The weight of my suffering is unbearable, and I cannot forget this pain. Yet, even in despair, I find hope: the Lord’s love never fails, His mercies are new each morning. I remind myself, “The Lord is my portion, and I will hope in Him.”

Daily Dystopia: A Call to Reflection

Watching or listening to the news on television and streaming media often feels like stepping into an Orwellian nightmare. The constant barrage of negativity and chaos has become the norm for 21st-century life. But pause for a moment and ask yourself: Is this what you are willing to settle for? If the Lord does not return soon, is this the kind of world you want your children and their families to inherit?

Choosing Hope: A Ripple Effect

“When we choose hope, we define what matters most to us.” These words from Dr. Shane Lopez, Gallup’s Senior Scientist in Residence, remind us of the transformative power of hope. “The tiny ripple of hope you set in motion can change the path of someone’s life.”

But what is hope, really?

Worldly Hope vs. Biblical Hope

Worldly hope is often no more than wishful thinking, a fleeting desire for the best possible outcome. The Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam reflects on the fleeting and fragile nature of worldly ambitions and desires. It suggests that the things people strive for, whether wealth, success, or happiness, are often temporary. Even if they are achieved, they don’t last long, much like snow that briefly brightens the barren desert but soon melts away.

His sentiments are paraphrased as follows: The hopes and dreams that people cherish in this world either crumble to nothing or briefly succeed. Like snow falling on the dry, dusty desert, they shine for a moment, then quickly disappear.

In contrast, Biblical hope is something far greater. It is not a fragile wish but a confident expectation rooted in the promises of the Father.

The Foundation of Biblical Hope

Biblical hope is built on the unshakable foundation of God’s faithfulness. It is the assurance that whatever the Father has promised will certainly come to pass. As Barclay eloquently put it: “The Christian hope never proves an illusion, for it is founded on the love of God. When our hope is in God, it cannot turn to dust and ashes. When our hope is in God, it cannot be disappointed. When our hope is in the love of God, it can never be an illusion, for God loves us with an everlasting love backed by an everlasting power.”

The Greek word translated as “hope” is elpis. Elpis “conveys a sense of reasonable and confident expectation, as well as joyful anticipation of the future.” This kind of hope, cultivated by the Father, will never disappoint.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father’s faithfulness is the bedrock of our hope.

Father, I have known the dark night of the soul. Thank You for the future and the hope You have promised me. Help me to rest in Your faithfulness and share the ripple of hope with others.

INSIGHT

The Darkest Hour in Israel’s History

It was the worst of times, the darkest hour in the history of Israel. The nation had been invaded and conquered. Jerusalem’s walls lay in ruins, the temple of God ransacked, and its treasures carried off. The people of Judah were taken captive. They felt like fish strung up on hooks and hauled away to Babylon, as described in Habakkuk 1:15, “Must we be strung up on their hooks and caught in their nets while they rejoice and celebrate?”

A few survivors, left behind in the rubble of better days, now lived among the debris. Among them was Jeremiah, the weeping prophet.

A Nation’s Greatest Disappointment

For the Jewish people, this was the ultimate disillusionment. Jeremiah had been the Father’s weeping prophet of doom, warning of the judgment to come. Now, he became the tear-streaked voice of their despair. He was the oracle of Israel’s dark night of the soul.

Their fate lies in the hands of their cruel captors. For many in deep despair, God was dead!

When Trauma and Doubt Overwhelm Us

How many of us have faced severe trauma and disappointment in our own lives? In such moments, doubt and unbelief often creep in. We find ourselves questioning God, asking, “Why?” And when no answer comes, our circumstances can spiral further into darkness.

How often have we, like the people of Judah, felt as though God was so distant that, for all practical purposes, He was dead?

Yet, as Charles Stanley reminds us, “From cover to cover, the Bible proclaims, ‘God is there, and He cares!’ He never abandons us.”

Jeremiah’s Heartache and Hope

Picture Jeremiah walking through the ruins of Jerusalem, weeping as he goes. He took no joy in preaching judgment, and now he bore the pain of witnessing its consequences. How much more does it hurt his heart to see the result of the judgment of his beloved people? Oh, the despair!

But even in the depths of despair, Jeremiah proclaimed a stunning affirmation of hope, Lamentations 3:22-24: “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’”

Jeremiah remembered the Father’s hesed, His steadfast, loyal love that never ceases. His mercies are unending, and His compassion is eternal. Each new day is a fresh reminder of the Father’s great faithfulness.

Jeremiah declared, “The LORD is my portion.” The Hebrew word translated as “portion” is cheleq. Cheleq can also mean “inheritance or possession.” Jeremiah wasn’t claiming to “own” God. Instead, he is expressing complete trust in Him. It’s as if he were saying, “God is everything; I need nothing else,” or “I need nothing because God is with me” (USB).

Ralph Carmichael’s hymn captures this sentiment beautifully, “He is everything to me.” When the Father is our everything, all else pales away into insignificance.

A Promise of Restoration

Israel’s dark night was not permanent. The Father had a plan all along, and He made a promise to His people. He explains to His people in Jeremiah 29:11-14: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days, when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you, says the LORD. I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

A Future and a Hope for All

The Father’s promise to Israel extends to each child of the King. He says to us, “I know the plans I have for you. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

No matter how dark the night, the Father’s steadfast love and faithfulness remain. His plans for us are good, and His promises never fail. Trust in Him, for He is everything we need.

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© Dr. H 2025