Hope in God, Not in Man

My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. (Psalm 62:5)

There are many things that we tend to hope for in life. Many of us have hopes for both the present and the future. Some people are hoping for their life circumstances to change. Others may be hoping to start a business or strengthen their relationships with family. Hope is what keeps a person going, no matter what they may be facing.

As we look back in history, we will learn of many people who, although faced enormous obstacles, fought and overcame those obstacles because of their hope for a better world. Without hope, there would be many who would not be able to endure the challenges they face in life. Many people would never pursue their dreams if they did not have some hope that they could come to pass.

When reading the God’s Word, you will see that hope is absolutely something we need to have in this life. It is God’s will that we always have faith and hope in Him. The problem is that, many times, our hope is misplaced. If you are hoping for something right now, honestly ask yourself, “Who am I hoping in?” You may realize that instead of hoping in God, you have been placing all of your hope in someone or something else to “make it happen.” 

The bible says, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8). We all maintain a certain measure of hope in our friends, family, spouses, leaders, and others in positions to help us or live up to our expectations of them. When these people fail to do what we expected them to do, it causes much disappointment, hurt, and even anger.

This has been true in my own life. I would say that I was hoping in the Lord, but in reality, my focus was on other people or my own abilities. I would place my confidence in a person to show up, and end up being disappointed when the opposite occurred. I took my eyes off God and put them on people. Of course, many things we hope for does involve God using others to bring it into fruition, but we should not be solely focused on others or even ourselves to bring it to pass.

One definition of hope is “a person or thing in which expectations are centered.” We are to pray, be active and expectant in our faith, all the while making sure to place our complete hope and trust in the Lord. We can prevent much frustration, anguish, and disappointment by hoping in God instead of man.

Man will disappoint, but God will never fail or disappoint us. The Bible says, “Those who hope in me will not be disappointed” (Isaiah 49:23). That means that even when things don’t turn out as expected, you continue to hope in God, knowing that He loves you and wants the best for you. You continue to hope because you believe that God is “able to able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20) In the book of Romans, it says, “…Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5).

If your hope has been misplaced, redirect it today and place your hope in GOD ALONE. He will never fail you. 

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence. (Psalm 42:5)

A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His loving kindness. (Psalm 33:17-18)

Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope. (Psalm 119:116)

Photo credit: Spitefully (changes made to photo)