Satisfying Hope

Satisfying hope is only found in Jesus. Blaise Pascal said, "There is a God -shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled  by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus. As this song by Lanny Wolfe states:

The world will try to satisfy
That longing in your soul.

You can search this wide world o're,

But you'll be just as before.

You'll never find true satisfaction
Until you find the Lord.

For only Jesus can satisfy your soul.

Only Jesus can satisfy your soul.
Yes, only He can change your heart
And make you whole.

He'll give you peace you never knew,

Sweet love and joy and heaven, too.

For only Jesus can satisfy your soul.

Isaiah 55:1-3a says, "Come, everyone who is thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! Why do you spend money on what is not good, and your wages on what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and you will enjoy the choicest of foods.  Pay attention and come to Me; listen, so that you will live". This is talking about how we spend our money, time and lives striving to find satisfaction. Jesus freely offers satisfaction in the gift of salvation and relationship with Him.

He loves, He saves,
He keeps, He satisfies
This longing heart of mine.

He fills my life to overflowing
With His joy and peace divine.

He guides, He guards,
He watches over me,

He slumbers not nor sleeps.

For He is my glorious Savior.

And He loves, He saves, He keeps.

When we give our lives to follow Jesus and walk in His ways, grounded in the Word, He will satisfy us and meet those deep needs we all have. As Psalms 63:5-8 says, "You satisfy me as with rich food. My mouth will praise you with joyful lips. When I think of you as I lie on by bed, I meditate on You during the night watches because You are my helper; I will rejoice in the shadow of Your wings. I follow close to You; Your right hand holds on to me".

 I am weak but thou art strong.

Jesus keep me from all wrong.

I'll be satisfied as long.

As I walk, let me walk,

Close to Thee.

Just a closer walk with thee.

Grant is Jesus is my plea.

Daily walking close to thee.

Let it be, Dear Lord, let it be.

Stay close to Jesus. Let Him satisfy you with His unlimited riches and you will experience hope beyond measure.

Blooming Hope

Blooming hope is a gift from our Lord as we grow in our faith.

Bloom where you're planted,

Don't wish you could stray

New flowers can keep growing,

No matter where you stay.

Bloom where you're planted,

Hope you will be granted.

Bloom where you're planted today.

We can have a bouquet of blossoms if we follow God's way of gardening.

1. Soil  Hosea 4:3 "Break up the unplowed ground; do not sow among the thorns."
2. Seeds  Hosea 10:12 "Sow seeds of righteousness" 
3. Sustenance  I Peter 2:2 "Like newborn infants, desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow thereby"
4. Sunshine  Psalms 84:11 "For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly"

Something beautiful,

Something good.

All my confusion,

He understood.

All I had to offer Him

Was brokenness and strife.

But He made something 

Beautiful of my life.

Remember that God does the work. Never doubt that He can fill your life with a fragrance of beauty.

Consider the lilies, they don't toil nor spin.

And there's not a king
With more splendor than them.

Consider the sparrows,
They don't plant nor sow,

But they're fed by the Master
Who watches them grow.

We have a heavenly Father above.

With eyes full of mercy 

And a heart full of love.

He really cares
When your head is bent low.

Consider the lilies and then you will know.

"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18) and you will gather blossoms of hope for eternity.

Victorious Hope

Victorious hope only comes when we draw our strength from our Savior.

Victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever.

He sought me and he bought me,

With His redeeming blood.

He loved me 'ere I knew Him.

And all my love is due Him.

He plunged me to victory.

Beneath His cleansing blood.

When we take our eyes off Christ and look at our circumstances and resources; fear, anxiety, and despair may overwhelm us. At those times, God will remind me of this song:

Are you walking into the enemy's camp,

Laying your weapons down?

Shedding you armor as you go,

Leaving it on the ground?

You've got to be strong
In the power of His might.

Prove to the enemy.

We are the soldiers of the Lord.

And we've won the victory.

To win the victory, we must clothe ourselves with the armor of God as described in Ephesians 6:14-18. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.  In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Pray at all times and stay alert.

Onward Christian Soldiers

Marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus

Going on before.

On every hand the foe we find,

Drawn up in dread array.

Let tents of ease be left behind,

And onward to the fray.

Salvation's helmet on each head,

With truth all girt about.

The earth shall tremble 'neath our tread,

And echo with our shout.

Faith is the victory, 

Faith is the victory.

Oh, glorious victory

That overcomes the world.

Remember, our battle in not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, world powers of darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. Ephesians 6:12. We need God's resources to win the battle. Clothe yourself daily. Keep hope in your heart for we know the end of the story. The battle is already won. Keep your sword sharp, your armor bright and fight your battles courageously knowing that you are on the winning side.  

Smiling Hope

The hope that Jesus gives will put a smile on our face and a song in our heart. As a child I would sing this song:

Mommy told me something.

A little kid should know.

It's all about the devil,

And I've learned to hate him so.

She said he causes trouble

When you let him in the room.

He will never, ever leave you,

If your heart is filled with gloom.

So let the sunshine in.

Face it with a grin.

Smilers never lose,

And frowners never win.

So let the sunshine in,

Face it with a grin.

Open up your heart,

And let the sunshine in.

I have a precious memory of my dad and youngest son Ryan, age 6, singing this song in church:

There are many troubles,

That will burst like bubbles.

There are many shadows
That will disappear.

When you learn to meet them,

With a smile to greet them,

For a smile is better than a frown or tear.

Though the world forsake you,

Joy will overtake you.

Hope will soon awake you,

If you smile today.

Don't parade your sorrow,

Wait until tomorrow,

For your hope and joy

Will drive the clouds away.

You can smile.

When you can't say a word.

You can smile,

When you cannot be heard.

You can smile,

When it's cloudy or fair.

You can smile anytime, anywhere.

When we live by the maxim "accentuate the positive, decelerate the negative", we are living Philippians 4:8 - "Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lively, admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things".

Get that frown off your face.

Put a smile in it's place.

Let the love of Jesus Christ show through.

Open up; start to sing.

You're a child of the King.

Now go out and change your world.

Here's another song for a happy heart.

Sing and smile and pray.

That's the only way.

When you sing and smile and pray.

You drive the clouds away.

Psychologists tell us that if a person starts smiling, even if the heart is heavy, the inward feelings will begin to change. Place your hope for a positive expected end in God and put a smile on your beautiful face.

Praying Hope

Praying hope is found in communication with our Creator. He knows our inmost hopes and dreams, thoughts and motives. When we pray, we connect with a power that is far greater then we can imagine with our finite minds. Hebrews 4:14 -16 reminds us that because we have a great High Priest (Jesus) in heaven Who is able to empathize with our weaknesses, and has been tempted in very way, yet did not sin, we can approach the throne of grace with confidence.

There's a garden where Jesus is waiting.

It's a place that's so wondrously fair.

And it glows with the light of His presence.

It's the beautiful garden of prayer.

Oh, that beautiful garden,
That garden of prayer.

Oh, that beautiful garden of prayer.

Where my Savior awaits,

And He opens the gates,

To that beautiful garden of prayer.

I come to the garden alone.

While the dew is still on the roses.

And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,

The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me
And He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own.

And the joy we share as we tarry there.

No other has ever known.

Sweet hour of prayer,
Sweet hour of prayer,

That calls me from a world of care,

And bids me at my Father's throne

Make all my wants and wishes known.
.

In seasons of distress and grief,

My soul has often found relief,

And oft escaped the tempter's snare

At thy return, sweet hour of prayer.

I'd stay in the garden with Him
Tho' the night around me be falling.

But He bids me go with a voice of woe.

His voice to me is calling.

Oh, that beautiful garden,
The garden of prayer,

Oh, that beautiful garden of prayer.
Where my Savior awaits,
And He opens the gates,

To that beautiful garden of prayer.

May you spend much time in the garden of prayer with the Source of hope.

Bringing Hope

We bring hope to our world when we spend our lives serving others.

Out on the highways and byways of life, 

Many are weary and sad.

Carry the sunshine 
Where darkness is rife, 

Making the sorrowing glad. 

Give as was given to you in your need.

Love as the Master loves you.

Be to the helpless, a helper indeed.

Unto your mission be true.

Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing,

Out of my life, May Jesus shine.

Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray.

Make me a blessing to someone today.

In Matthew 25: 35, Jesus says," I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.  I was  thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me.  I was in prison and you came to visit me." The disciples asked when they had done all those things for him. He answered, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me."

Someone is needing a blessing today.

Something to cheer him 
On life's rugged way,

Needing a friend who is faithful and true,

Will that someone be you?

Someone is waiting in sorrow and night,

Needing the word of Salvation and Light.

Someone will bear it, his hope to renew,

Will that someone be you?

Jesus is waiting for someone,

Waiting and calling for someone;

Someone will answer and go in His name;

O, will that someone be you?

God's plan is so amazing in that He has chosen to use us to bring His message of love and hope to this world. What a privilege to be used by God to touch lives for eternity.

His Spirit lives within us,
Flowing like a river. 
Filling us with strength,
So that we can reach
Out for our brother.
Help one another.

Some of us build,
Some are teachers.
Some can sing like angels.
But all of us can love.
Like He loved,
Pure and simple,
So warm and tender.

We are His hands,
We are His feet,
We are His people.
Children of Lord.
We share the hope, 
We share the dream,
Believers in Jesus
Children of the King.

May you live a life of loving service bringing hope to your world.

Singing Hope

Singing hope is found when we take that step of faith, and begin to follow our Savior. This is my testimony song:

I used to play a tune filled with discord.

I wondered why 
I was born on this earth.

Then I met Jesus, 
I gave Him my life, 

And He gave me a song of new birth.

It's a song 
That has the sweetest melody,

For it tells 
Of Christ coming from above,

Of His death 
On Calvary's cruel tree,

Of His grace, 
Forgiveness, and wondrous love.

There may come situations 
I don't understand,

 But the melody is there, 
Just the same.

When I look up into my Savior's face,

I can't help singing 
Praises to His name.

He writes a song of love upon my heart.

He writes a song 
That never shall depart.

He writes a song 
That makes my whole world bright.

And keeps me singing in the night.

Music is an incredible tool for bringing hope into our lives.  Most of us have memories of special times associated with music - singing around a piano or a campfire; harmonizing in a choir or group; playing in an orchestra or band; making up silly songs to impress our friends. These times encourage and strengthen us. But remember the truth found in this song:

Sing, sing a song.

Sing it loud, sing it long.

Don't worry that it's not good enough

For anyone else to hear.

Just sing, sing a song.

Psalms 150 is an incredible reminder to sing praises the Lord.

1. Where - in His sanctuary, in His mighty heavens. 
2. Why - for His acts of power, for His surpassing greatness. 
3. How - with timbrel and dance, strings, pipes and cymbals. 
4. Who - let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

I have a song that Jesus gave me.
It was sent from heaven above.
There never was a sweeter melody.
It's the melody of love.

In my heart there rings a melody,
Rings a melody with heaven's harmony.
In my heart there rings a melody.
Rings a melody of love.

May a song of praise reverberate in your heart bringing hope and joy to all your days.

but

Talking Hope

Words of hope - how our generation needs to hear them! We should always be bringing hope to others by the words that we speak. I'm reminded of a Sunday School song:

Oh, be careful little mouth what you say.

Oh, be careful little mouth what you say.

There's a Father up above,

And he's looking down in love.

So be careful little mouth what you say.

The Bible has much to teach us about the power of the tongue. James 3:1-12 states that we can tame a horse with a bit, and steer a ship with a rudder, but the tongue is much harder to control. If we give our tongues to God, He will put His words in our mouth. Isaiah 50:4 - The Lord has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary.

The tongue is a little member,

But difficult to control

Unkind words when spoken

Are destructive and untenable.

Words of truth,

Words of life

Words that banish fear and strife.

Blessings bring peace to the soul.
 

May the words of my mouth 
Be acceptable

In thy sight, O, Lord, I pray.

May hope in Christ be evidenced

In everything I say.

Words of kindness,

Words of love,

Words that challenge to look above.

May I speak words of promise today.

Of course the greatest words of hope that we can speak are from God's Word. Steve Green's song "Ancient Words" sums up this truth:

Holy Word, long preserved.

For our walk, in this world.

They resound with God's own heart,

Oh, let the Ancient Word impart.

Words of life, words of hope,

Give us strength, help us cope,

In this world wherein we roam,

Ancient Words will guide us home.

Ancient Word, ever true,

Changing me and changing you,

We have come with open heart.

O, let the ancient Word impart.

May we let The Word guide us and speak life-giving words of hope today..

Walking Hope

We can always walk with hope in our hearts, because God has assured us that He is with us, leading us onward and upward.

Each step I take, 
My Savior goes before me.

And with His loving hand, 
He leads the way.

And with each breathe,
 I whisper, "I adore Thee."

Oh, what joy, 
To walk with Him each day. 

Each step I take,
 I know that He will guide me;

To higher ground, 
He ever leads me on.

Until some day, 
The last step will be taken.

Each step I take 
Just leads me closer home.

The key is staying in the Word and obeying its teachings. The Holy Spirit will be your guide.  As Isaiah 30:21 says,  "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' ".

Does your life seem empty?

Does it seem like you can't pull through?

The load doesn't get any lighter, 

If you think it's all up to you.

Why don't you lean on Jesus?

He knows you can't tow the line.

He only wants you to follow Him.

Just one little step at a time.

Little by little, one step at a time,

He's changing our hearts 
And renewing our minds,

Teaching us how to be, 
Patient and kind.

Little by little, one step at a time.

As we live a life of walking hope, we will find joy and fulfillment beyond measure.

Walking with the Savior 
On the narrow way.

Doing all that pleases Him 
From day to day.

Reading from the Bible 
Taking time to pray.

That's the way to find happiness.

Trusting in the Lord 
When there's a stormy sky.
Bringing Him the troubles 
That would make us sigh.
Knowing He will keep us, 
Every need supply.
O, That's the way to find happiness.

Ready with a witness 
To His love so true.

Giving out the gospel as He told us to.

Serving faithfully in all we say or do.

That's the way to find happiness.

May you step out in confidence, listening and obeying the Savior, and you will have a life filled with walking hope.

Time for Hope

If there was ever a time that hope is needed it is now.  Our news reports are rife with stories of man's degradation.  We hear of wars and rumors of wars, disasters and disease. In Romans 8:22 - 25, God says that all of creation is groaning in the pains of childbirth to be liberated from bondage to decay. We also, although we have the Holy Spirit inside, groan while waiting for the redemption of our bodies. Our hope saves us, for if we had no problems now, we would not need to have hope. So we wait patiently and rest in God's sovereignty. 

In His time, In His time,

He makes all things beautiful.

In His time.

Lord, Please show me everyday, 

as You're teaching me Your way,

And I'll do just what you say,

In Your time.

Lord, My life to you I bring,

May each song I have to sing,

Be to You a lovely thing,

In Your time.

While we wait on this this earth for our coming redemption, we need to redeem the time that we have and use it wisely to glorify God. It's so easy to get caught up in the tyranny of the urgent, or become distracted from the call on our lives.

 This moment never comes again.

This moment will soon be past.

Life is just a vapor that appears 
And then is gone.

Only what is done for Christ will last.

This moment, what will you do?

This moment can Christ be seen in you?

We will be accountable 
For every word and deed.

Use them wisely 
For the moments are so few.

I have this moment I hold in my hand.

God has given a choice to me.

I can waste it and lose it 
On things of this world.

Or I can give it to God 
And I'll keep it for eternity.

Making each moment count for eternity won't just happen.  We must guard our heart and purpose to let God control our lives. Nourishing our spirit with the Word, prayer, worship, and fellowship is essential.

Take time to be holy, 
Speak oft with thy Lord.

Abide in Him always, 
And feed on His Word.

Make friends of God's children. 
Help those who are weak.

Forgetting in nothing 
His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy.  
The world rushes on.

Spend much time in secret, 
With Jesus alone.

By looking to Jesus, 
Like Him thou shalt be.

They friends in thy conduct, 
His likeness shall see.

May you take time to cherish the hope that is in you and share it with others.

Hope for Eternity

When I think of hope for eternity, one of my favorite songs comes to mind:

              

Just think of stepping on shore - 

And finding it Heaven!

Or touching a hand - 
And finding it God's!
Of breathing new air - 
And finding it celestial!

Of waking up in glory - 
And finding it home! 

What an amazing thought: to leave this world with its disappointments and disillusions and dwell forever with Our Heavenly Father. We were made for a different existence - in God's kingdom of love. As "Heaven's Song" by Phil Wickham says:

I want to run on greener pastures

I want to dance on higher hills.

I want to drink from sweeter waters. 

In the misty morning chill. 

And my soul is getting restless

For the place where I belong.

I can't wait to join the angels 
And sing my heaven song.

"No More Night" by David Phelps reminds us what heaven will be like:

The timeless theme, 
Earth and Heaven will pass away.

It's not a dream, 
God will make all things new that day. 

Gone is the curse 
From which I stumbled and fell.

Evil is banished to eternal hell.

No more night, no more pain.

No more tears, never crying again. 

And praises to the great, "I AM"

We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.

Wow! If I keep my eyes on Jesus and live with eternity in mind, I will live a life filled with hope no matter what my circumstances.

It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus.

Life's trials will seem so small,

 When we see Christ.

One glimpse of His dear face,

All sorrow will erase.

So bravely run the race,

Till we see Christ.

 May you set your affections on things above and look "for the hope (positive expected end) which is laid up for you in Heaven". Colossians 1:5

Hope for the Future

Hope for the future is found in trusting that God has our future in His hand and that all of our circumstances come through that Hand of Love. In 2003, my mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I spent most of the summer in Yakima, Washington, going to chemo treatments with her and helping prepare for a move closer to family. In the mornings, I would take a walk at a nearby school. At the beginning of my time there, God brought an old song to remembrance and it sustained me throughout the summer; and mom's subsequent death in the fall.

I don't know about tomorrow, 
I just live from day to day. 

I don't borrow from it's sunshine
For its skies may turn to gray.
I don't worry o're the future, 
For I know what Jesus said.
And today He walks beside me, 
For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow,
 I don't seem to understand.
But I know Who holds tomorrow, 
And I know Who holds my hand.

 

A passage I read to mom often that summer was the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 - 7.  Chapter 6, starting at verse 25, reminds us to not worry about what we will eat, drink, or wear. Consider the birds and how the Father feeds them, and the flowers that are lovelier than Solomon's glory. Surely God can take care of us.

 Why should I be discouraged? 
Why should the shadows come?

Why should my heart grow weary 
And long for heaven and home?

When Jesus is my portion.  
My constant friend is He.

His eye is on the sparrow 
And I know He watches me.

We need to remember that God is already in the future. He knows our needs and is in the business of caring for us. All of God's promises are true, but we must have a mind committed to trusting, believing, and not listening to the lies of Satan.  This comes by reading, meditating, memorizing the Word and communicating with our Father.

Why worry, when you can pray?

Trust Jesus, He'll be your stay.

Don't be a doubting Thomas.

Rest fully in His promise.

Why worry, worry, worry ,worry, 

When you can pray?

Matthew 6:33 and 34 says to not worry about tomorrow for it will take care of itself, but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all the things we really need will be given.

May you trust in the Father and have a hope - a positive expected end - for the future.

Hope for the Present

Hope for the present is found in living for Jesus.

Living for Jesus, a life the is true,

Striving to please Him in all that I do.

Yielding allegiance,
 Glad-hearted and free.  

This is the pathway of blessing for me.

Oh, Jesus, Lord and Savior, 
I give myself to Thee,

For Thou in Thine atonement, 
Didst give Thyself for me.

I owe no other Master. 
My heart shall be Thy throne.

 My life I give, henceforth to live.

Oh, Christ, for Thee alone.

This, of course, is easier said than done, and is impossible in our own strength. The Christian life isn't just one of information but of transformation. This only happens as we yield to the Holy Spirit who indwelt us at conversion. Galatians 5:22-23 says that if we walk in the Spirit, He will produce a bountiful orchard of fruit in our lives.

Are you walking in the Spirit? 
Is the fruit of your life love,

Joy , peace and gentleness? 
These only come from God above.

You'll have goodness, patience, meekness, 
Also faith and self control.

These traits will be evidenced 
If the Spirit's in charge of your soul.

Love for God and fellow man, 

Joy means trust in Jesus' plan,

Peace no problem can withstand, 

If the Spirit's in charge of your soul.

Gentleness in work and play, 

Goodness visible all the day,

Patience in all you do and say, 

If the Spirit's in charge of your soul.

Meekness is humble, others before you, 

Faith believes in what God will do.

Self control shown and excesses few, 

If the Spirit's in charge of your soul.

 Ephesians 5: 18b says to be filled with the Spirit, but verse 19 gives instruction to help the process, "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord".

May you live for Jesus today, walking in the Spirit, with a song of hope in your heart.

Hope for the Past

Hope for healing from the past lies in forgiveness. The expected positive outcome will be freedom in the present and future as we embrace forgiveness God's way.

1. Forgiveness from God. The first step in healing is to accept the free gift of forgiveness from God.  He gave His Son to die for us so we can be forgiven of all our sins - past, present and future.

              

Gone, gone, gone, gone, 

Yes, my sins are gone.

Now my soul is free,
And in my heart's a song.

Buried in the deepest sea, 
Yes, that's good enough for me.

I will live eternally. 
Praise God, my sins are G-O-N-E gone.

Another composer said it this way:

I'm forgiven, 
Because You were forsaken.

I'm accepted; 
You were condemned.

I'm alive and well, 
Your Spirit is within me.

Because you died and rose again.

Amazing love, how can it be? 
That You, my King, would die for me?

Amazing love, I know it's true, 
And its my joy to honor you.

In all I do, I honor you.

2.  Forgiveness of self.  We have to forgive the things we don't like about ourselves - actions, attributes, physical and mental liabilities, areas we don't measure up to standards set by ourselves or others.  We must accept and love the amazing person God created at our birth:

 I said, " If you knew me, you wouldn't want me.  
My scars are hidden by the face I wear".

He said, "My child, 
My scars go deeper. 
 It was love for you that put them there".

I am loved, I am loved, 
I can risk loving you,

For the One who knows me best, 
Loves me most.

I am loved, you are loved, 
Won't you please take my hand?

We are free to love each other.  
We are loved.

3. Forgiveness of others. This is such a key to unlock freedom.  The Lord's prayer says, "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." If we are unwilling to take this step of faith, we will continue in bondage.

How can I forgive 
When I hurt so bad?

I feel like I have lost 
Any joy I ever had.

How could it have happened?  
I'm in such pain

How can I go on 
And trust someone again?

Jesus knows your hurts, 
He carried all your sins.

When dying on the cross, 
He asked the Father to forgive.

Since He has forgiven you, 
You must forgive others, too.

Then you will know His peace 
And will be made anew.

           

Let it go ---God knows, cares 
And will help you without a doubt.

Let it go ---Give it to God 
And he will heal you inside and out.

Embrace forgiveness and receive the gift of hope - a positive expected end. Colossians 3:13-17.


.

What is Hope?



Hope, everyone wants it to be an integral part of their being. Hope is defined as "a general feeling that some desire will be fulfilled". I like to define it as "an expectation of a positive outcome".  People filled with hope will be true optimists and go through life with a song in their heart.
How do we experience these positive expectations in a world filled with political unrest, natural disasters, crime, hate, poverty, etc.? The only answer lies in a relationship with the Creator and Redeemer of mankind.

My hope is built on nothing less, 

than Jesus blood and righteousness. 

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, 
But wholly lean on Jesus name.

On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand, 
All other ground is sinking sand.

True hope will be grounded in the character of God.

1. God is Omnipotent - all powerful:

Got any rivers you think are uncrossable?

Got any mountains you can't tunnel through?

God specializes in things thought impossible.

He does the things others cannot do.

 

2. God is Omniscient - all knowing:

 I don't know what the future holds, 
But I know Who holds the future.
I may listen to a thousand tongues 
But I only hear one Whisper.
If I act upon that Voice of Love, 
Then I know I am a seeker.
I can't see much past the present, 
But I know Who holds the future. 

3. God is Omnipresent - everywhere present:

"Where can I go from your Spirit? 
Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there.
 If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn. 
If I settle on the far side of the sea,

 Even there your hand will guide me, 
Your right hand will hold me fast."
Psalm 139: 7-10

The basis for our hope is summed up in a duet my parents would sing from a Rodeheaver hymn book:

                     One sat alone, beside the highway begging.

                      His eyes were blind, the light he could not see.

                      He clutched his rags, and shivered in the shadows.

                      Then Jesus came, and caused his eyes to see.

                     When Jesus comes, the tempter's power is broken.

                      When Jesus comes, all fear is washed away.

                      He takes the gloom and fills the heart with gladness.

                      For all is changed, when Jesus comes to stay.
 

Put your hope  - your expectation of a positive outcome - in God, who richly provides for us.
I Timothy 6:17