She looked at me said, “I sure hope I can,” as we sat together, side-by-side, sipping hot tea.
I-Hope-I-Can.
“Maybe the kids can go to school this year,” she said, almost under her breath.  “I sure hope so.”
I….HOPE.
“Do you think I can do it?  Do you think it’s the right answer, the best decision?” she voiced as her eyes sought out mine.  “I sure hope so.”
“Maybe my vehicle will last, will not break down. I sure hope not.”
Do you think this virus will ever be gone, completely gone?  I sure hope so!!!!
Hope.  We use this word interchangeably and quite often, much like we use another word—LOVE.
We use HOPE….Like a wish.
And we speak of HOPE….Like a plea of please.
Then there’s HOPE…Like an unsure future.

HOPE.
Can we hope?
Should we hope?  
Will “hoping” for something to happen cause it to occur?
Will “hoping” work in the reverse, frightening us, much as a jinxing, causing the opposite of “hope” to occur?
Despair……..the direct opposite of Hope.
God’s Word speaks of both…..of DESPAIR & of HOPE.
His Promise whispers of peace and hope in the midst of our turmoil.
The BIBLE reminds us that God, our Father, is a God of eternal hope. Come what may, in this, our earthly life, we still have the assured HOPE only God can provide.

Building 429 sings a melody “We Won’t Be Shaken,” and within this song, we find this simple, repeated assurance. 

May we repeat that word over and over and over and over.
We won’t be shaken, despite what comes to our day.
We won’t be shaken, despite what attacks our health.
We won’t be shaken, even if our life does not unfold just as we envisioned.
We won’t be shaken when our life, our neighbors, our friends, and even our family looks at us in dismay as they scratch their heads and exclaim, “Surely you can’t continue to praise God, even in this!”

We won’t be shaken.
We won’t be……SHAKEN!!!
SAY IT AGAIN (louder)….WE—WILL—NOT—NO NEVER—EVER—BE SHAKEN FROM GOD’S AMAZING GRACE & UNFAILING LOVE!!!
NO NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have a Heavenly Father, a God, a Savior, a Friend, and a LORD…..WHO….
Has overcome.
Can be trusted.
Loves us forevermore. 
Promises to walk with us through the fire.
Is stronger…..than anything. 
Can do all things.
Hears our pleas.
Answers our prayers.
Leads us in the way we should go.
Will return for His children, just as He promised.
Can Most Definitely Be Believed & Trusted.

Are we looking to God for our HOPE?

Are we placing & keeping our eyes upon HIM?

Are we fully trusting our Father God?

In the book of Psalms, we find many passages, many songs, and one particular Scripture (a melody), given to us by the sons of Korah, provides us with a reminder of this eternal assurance, with a promise of our HOPE. 

Let us sing this again and again.
Even if we have not experienced God in a certain way (yet) in our lives, God is still there!.
Even if our understanding is small, God is not!
Sing with confidence. 
Sometimes we sing something because we hope it comes to pass.
Sometimes we must sing & sing & sing & sing….until we reach assurance way down deep in our being.
YES, FOR SURE…..GOD IS! GOD WAS! & GOD WILL FOREVER BE……OUR HOPE!!!
Meditate upon God’s goodness.
Be Confident, not in ourselves, but in our God.

• When our adversaries attack….HOPE. 
• When our bones shatter….HOPE. 
• When the world screams, “Where is your God now?”….HOPE. 
• When we are in despair….HOPE. 
• When our soul is weary….HOPE. 
• When we are disturbed and dismayed….HOPE. 

HOPE in GOD! 
Ever Praise Him.
He is our Help.
He will NEVER forsake us or turn away from His children.
He is My God.
I pray today that you proclaim the same.  Admit. Believe. Confess.  Jehovah God is the God of Hope.
May we FOREVERMORE…..HOPE in GOD!