In May of 1977, a Princess uttered a phrase that rippled through America. It wasn’t long until that Princesses phrase began to send shockwaves around the world. Actually, that little phrase brought a new hope to an entire generation.
So, what was that phrase uttered by the princess in 1977? “Help me OB1 Kenobi, you’re my only HOPE.” Princess Leah made it famous in Star Wars episode 4 which is entitled, “A New Hope”. She was trying to send some kind of “insider information” through a little robot droid, R2D2, hoping someone would get this info and help save them!
Hope is an often-misunderstood word. That’s because the way we use the word “hope” in our vernacular is not the same as the way the word “hope” is used in the Bible. Sorry your Majesty.
We often use the word hope to describe wishful thinking — even wishful thinking founded in futility. Futility like, “I hope I PR my race! I hope she says yes to going to homecoming with me.”
Hope is an important topic, because you might be teetering on the ledge of wishful thinking. Your circumstances seem horrible, and your situation seems out of control, and looks like a hot mess! For you, it might be easier to just throw in the towel.
If you feel this way, or have ever felt this way, then you need to embrace — fully embrace — the Biblical concept of hope.
I googled “songs about hope”. You know what came up? “Imagine” by John Lennon. “Lean On Me”, “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger.” Even “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus. I’ve gotta be honest, when I think of hope, I don’t think of Hannah Montana. I want REAL hope. Eternal hope that sees you through every storm, based on the Word of God, the power of God, and the goodness of God.
Ever notice that when we express hope, it almost seems uncertain? “I hope my daughter makes the team…” I hope I don’t miss my flight.” I hope this still fits… I hope they hire me… I hope they don’t pick on me. I hope I have enough money… I hope that construction is done… I hope my candidate wins… I hope there’s enough room… I hope he doesn’t find out… All of those things sound desperate, don’t they? Biblical hope is not just a desire for something good in the future. Biblical hope is a confident expectation and desire for something good in the future.
“For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
Romans 8:24-25
Maybe you’re familiar with JOY99 singer, Toby Mac. He has toured the world, singing in front of millions every year. He’s had #1 songs, and has won several Grammys. The reason Toby got into Christian music was to turn people’s eyes to God.
October 23, 2019, Toby’s son was found dead. I can’t think of anything more difficult than losing a child. How did he find hope? Toby said, “when you go through something hard, you have to grab onto something you can trust.” He grabbed onto the promise of God. THAT is holding onto hope.
Recently, Toby was on “Good Morning America” talking about how God was “kind” to him through it all. That’s hope with endurance. It’s not a result of what you see or what you feel; it’s a result of a choice you dare to make, and an action you dare to take. Hope is daring to endure, refusing to jump ship, even when you don’t know how the story will end.
Toby has hope. Despite all of that, through it all, one of Toby Mac’s songs says, “Lord, you’re the Goodness in my life.” Whew! After all that Toby has gone through, God is the Goodness? THAT is holding onto hope! Not hope from a princess with a droid, but from the Prince of Peace, our living hope in Christ.
Hold onto hope. Go make a difference. Always run by faith.