Hope. It’s hard to describe what hope is, I think. I really love the description of what hope is… it gives me hope just to read it 
Hope
A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it. Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.
I think that is just a beautiful way to put it! I’ve been learning that we must keep hope even when it seems that whatever we are hoping for is all but lost. The Bible even says:
Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
When it seems all hope is lost, our hearts are heavy and down and it is hard to be hopefully for things we have waited or are waiting so long for. It seems like there is no hope left is when the Lord will show us to keep holding onto hope.
Ecclesiastes 9:4
For as long as a person is linked with the living, there is hope.
As long as you’re living you will hope and as long as you’re living there will be hope for those hopes to happen.
Hope goes hand in hand with trust. You can’t have trust without hope.
Hebrews 11:1
Trusting is being confident of what we hope for, convinced about things we do not see.
We need to continue trusting in our hopes. It’s much easier to believe something when we see it then when we don’t.
Romans 8:24
But if we see what we hope for, it isn’t hope – after all, who hopes for what he already sees?
It takes more to believe and hope for something when you can’t see it, it also makes you trust and hope in God more. So… where do you put that hope though? Do you put it in material, yourself, or God?
Psalm 27:14
Put your hope in ADONAI, be strong, and let your heart take courage! Yes, put your hope in ADONAI!
Psalm 37:34
Put your hope in ADONAI, keep to his way, and he will raise you up to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
Psalm 38:15
For it is in you, ADONAI, that I hope. You will answer, Adonai my God.
He knows our hopes and desires and He will answer us in His timing and with His answer. Just remember to continue to hope even when it seems lost!
Romans 12:12
Rejoice in your hope, be patient in your troubles, and continue steadfastly in prayer.
Remaining Hopeful Always,
©AmandaDixon2009
Each Saturday join Jacque (Mama) @ Walking Therein, and many others who are taking their Saturdays and expressing their praise to the Lord. To participate, you can post a Psalm or a praise and tell what impact it has had on you. Make sure to link up your SP&P too! I hope to see you on there!
This Week’s SP&P: Sorrow into Joy, Frustration to Peace
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Tags: Adonai, believe, desire, desires, Ecclesiastes 9:4, God, heart, Hebrews 11:1, hope, hope deferred, hopeful, hoping, Jacque Dixon, Lord, Meme, patience, patient, Proverbs 13:12, Psalm 27:14, Psalm 37:34, rejoice in hope, Romans 12:2, Romans 8:24, Saturday Psalm and Praise, Scriptures, trust, Trusting is being confident of what we hope for convinced about things we do not see., wait, waiting
September 5th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Very good post…true too! Thanks for posting this.
That’s a beautiful pic of you, great angle and such…but you look very sad! 
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September 5th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
LOL! I do, don’t I?
I know I wasn’t tho… I’m not sure what I was thinking or looking at… lol
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September 5th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Well, that’s good to know. I wouldn’t want you to be sad.
I have lots of thinking poses like that too. 
Praying for y’all! 
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September 5th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Great Scriptures.
Yeah, that isn’t her sad look. That is her serious look. Something must have been going on!
It’s a great photo tho, Manda~
(((HUGS)))
Mama´s last blog ..SPP: Sorrow into Joy, Frustration to Peace
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September 5th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Hope is difficult for me at the moment, so thanks for this post <3
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September 6th, 2009 at 6:09 am
Wonderful article Amanda! You did a great job and it is very encouraging! I love that verse in Romans 8:24 – actually I’ve been looking for it but unable to find it so thanks for posting that great verse!
Where did you get your definition of hope? I agree – it is lovely.
Jessica´s last blog ..Dollar for a Drink.org
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September 6th, 2009 at 7:14 am
I got that definition from the Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
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September 6th, 2009 at 8:08 am
Nothing else can say something so eloquently as God’s beautiful Word, and His people who are obedient to share their thoughts!
Beautifully said, Amanda!
God bless you!
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September 6th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Really liked this one. My mind is often a battleground between hope and discouragement. Only when my mind is hopeful can I really pray and give thanks to God.
Ben´s last blog ..Romantic Thoughts — Some Island Poetry
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September 6th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Great post Amanda! Thank you for sharing! I love how powerful those last verses especially are…”Put your hope in ADONAI”. That’s great!
And it’s something really needed this week, too. it’s nice to know where we can turn to and Who we can trust in and that we don’t need to worry or be afraid because He is on our side! 
We CAN hope in Him. 
Blessings!
~Rachel P.~
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September 6th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Our support is the One only in whom our hope abides.
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September 6th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Great post. You do look sad in that pic though! Glad to hear you aren’t!
I’ve been gone from bloggerland for far too long. Missed you and everyone else terribly and I have lots of catching up to do.
Heather
Heather´s last blog ..Random Stuff
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September 6th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
OH! I’ve missed you too!
glad you’re back. hugs!
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September 7th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
I love the verse’s, Amanda! You did a great post! Love you!!!!!!!!
hannah
Miss Hannah´s last blog ..Saturday Pslam & Praise – Victory in Jesus
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September 11th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Great reminder! Thanks for sharing.
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September 30th, 2009 at 4:31 am
I love that picture of you actually…beautiful…timeless…
Esther Zimmerman´s last blog ..A humorous, well presented take on the flu vaccine…
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