The synergy of hope and wonder
Hope is one of those words that has slipped. Once a word with impact, it’s become a word lopped around loosely. “I hope I can go to Croatia this year.” “I hope I don’t get COVID.” “I hope I come up with the money somewhere.” “Gosh, I hope so!”
Hope of the first order, as defined by Oxford Press, is “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.” Not just a wish to or a want to. More than a desire, hope is the expectation that things will change. Hope is the anchor for our souls.
Where is the berth for my anchor?
Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (Hebrews 6:17–19 NIV)
God’s nature and His word: two unchangeable things that make way for all else to change.
Man’s confusion makes way for the wonder of God.
Again compliments of Oxford Press, I read that wonder is:
1. a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable.
2. desire or be curious to know something.
3. feel doubt.
Wonder. Another word that has slipped.
“I wonder if I’m good enough?” “I wonder if I can do it?” “ I wonder if I’m loved?” The aching emptiness can cause us to wilt in defeat. Until we hear of Him.
“I wonder if He’s listening?” “ I wonder if He cares?” “ I wonder if He’s as good as they say He is?”
You bump into Him and, surprise! You find that He is, and He does, and He’s more. His grace is unexpected, His ways unfamiliar, His love inexplicable.
He’s beautiful.
He fills you with wonder.
Because of the One who never changes we can again discover wonder of the first order.
Once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.” (Isaiah 29:14 NIV)
Man’s ignorance gives way to God’s intention.
Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:20–21 NIV)
When I find myself in the middle of adversity and affliction and the heavens seem silent, I can turn away in bitterness and offense, or I can seek Him with all my heart. My ears can be tuned to His voice as He says, “This is the way; walk in it.” He will lead me in paths of righteousness, for His name’s sake. Not for mine, but for His.
I can accept that the kingdom of God is bigger than me, and my desires can be swallowed up by His. When I exalt the King and His kingdom, in its wake I am lifted up.
The sorrow of a generation makes way for an eternal legacy.
Back in the eighties, before I became a disciple, talk of the Great Tribulation was all the buzz, and having children was the furthest thing from my mind. I gave no thought to leaving a legacy, only to leaving “the late great planet earth.” Time passed and I had kids, and I learned what God has to say about investing in the next generation. Almost daily now, rather than expending prayer asking for presents, I pray about mankind’s destiny.
When they see among them their children; the work of my hands, they will keep my name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. (Isaiah 29:22–23 NIV)
I can complain about a world that is broken and dying or I can continue to confess His holy name so my children and the children of a thousand generations can stand in awe of God. A broken and dying world can become the soil for His kingdom.
As the work of the enemy is destroyed, the beauty of Eden is restored.
He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. (Isaiah 30:23 NIV) The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted. (Isaiah 30:26 NIV)
Man’s sin has taken a toll on the earth, but in the light of God’s justice, it will be restored. What God called “good” will be good again and man’s work will be tending, not toil.
Once given a garden, man will steward a city. Inside its gates, those who have asked to enter. Outside, all that hinders love destroyed. But always, gates that remain open, welcoming those grasping for hope. (Revelation 21:23–26)
See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land. Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed,and the ears of those who hear will listen. The fearful heart will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear. (Isaiah 32:1–4 NIV)
In the place once ruined by sin, the Spirit of God is poured out.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:1–4 NIV)
Hope and wonder.
Everything can change.
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