Some of the newer versions of the Bible replace the word wait in this particular scripture from Isaiah with hope. As in those who "hope in the Lord" will renew their strength. Perhaps, this word change because we currently live in the new testament dispensation of grace, whereby the Lord has already come forth as a mighty man to bring us His gift of salvation. (Isaiah 42:13)
And, thus, as a consequence, we are no longer waiting for the mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father since the beginning of the world but rather, like the just and devout man Simeon, who waited for the consolation of Israel, our eyes have similarly seen the Lord's Christ.
" ... and the Holy Ghost was upon [Simeon], and it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law, then took he Him up in his arms and blessed God, and said, "Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy Word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people -- a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel." (Luke 2:25-32)
Even Herod, the one Jesus was sent to during His trial and eventual death on the cross is noted of being exceeding glad when he saw Jesus, "for he was desirous to see Him of a long season, because he had heard many things of Him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by Him." (Luke 23:8)
Having heard of Jesus' fame and the miracles He performed, Herod the tetrarch asked, "But who is this, of whom I hear such things?" And as the scripture points out, he -- even then -- desired to see Jesus. (Luke 9:9; Matthew 14:1-12; Mark 6:14-29)
Hope then appears to be characteristic of the new testament, having a witness to the good news gospel of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. Abraham may have been the exception, whereby Abraham "who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, "So shall thy seed be." And being not weak in faith ... he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God ... and therefore, it was imputed to him for righteousness." (Romans 4:17-22; Genesis 15:6)
But that hope -- who against hope believed in hope -- was just not written for Abraham's sake alone but for us also -- to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." (Romans 4:24-25)
You see, a Christian's definition of hope does not consist of wishing for something to happen and then waiting, as does the world. Rather instead, there is a blessed assurance of the Spirit of God living within that surpasses all human understanding. Thus, as believers in Jesus by faith, having taken on His precious name in water baptism, we are grounded in the good Word of God, and the powers of the world to come, having been made partakers of the Holy Ghost. (Hebrews 6:4-5)
"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil, whither the forerunner is for us entered -- [even] Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For the Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him ... first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is King of peace. Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abides a priest continually. Now consider how great this man ..." (Hebrews 7:1-4)
Yes, our anchor is in Jesus ... wherefore, we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." (Hebrews 12:8)
Yes, our rock is in Jesus ... "by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God, and not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation works patience, and patience, experience, and experience, hope, and hope makes not ashamed -- because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5:2-5)
Yes, our daily bread and sustenance from Jesus, who said, "I am the bread of life" -- the living water from which we will never thirst again. He gives us to eat of the hidden manna. (Revelation 2:17)
"And hereby we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us." (I John 3:24)
It is for these reasons, and more, that we "continue in the faith, grounded and settled and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard ... to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:23-27)
God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16)
"But after the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Saviour, that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7)
So, again, from whence comes our hope?
Christ in you the hope of glory! Because the greatest love story ever displayed before the world -- the kindness and love of God our Saviour -- has now been planted firmly in your heart. Stand in the offering plate.
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