Message for August 18, 2024 from Pastor Shirley

As I was looking into the Bible concerning the word hope I found an interesting meaning.  The Hebrew word hope is “tiqvah”  which means to bind and gather.  To hope in God means to bind God’s promises to yourself. 

Deuteronomy 11:18-19 “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

The word hope also means a “rope.”  This meaning goes back to the word “hope” in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Yes God has plans to prosper us, and knowing this truth ties us, ropes us, anchors us to our future.  Hope is not a feeling but a rope held by our God.  Hope intentionally wraps His words and truth around our heart, mind, and life. 

 Remember God’s plan is to give you hope “a rope” and a future. HOLD onto the ROPE!!  Hope isn’t a feeling but a choice to hold on to what the Bible says is true!