Hope

Hope is so important to the human spirit that scriptures from religions around the world include passages dedicated to hope.  Here are many of these messages of hope.

Jews throughout the ages have found hope in the words in the Torah, Genesis 28:15a: “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go.”

In the Old Testament King James version of the Christian bible, Isaiah 40:31 gives us this hopeful message: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Sikhs find this passage in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib 2276-7: “The thirst of your mind will be quenched, and all your hopes fulfilled.”

Muslims find hope in the Qu’ran 3:139, “Do not lose heart or despair,” and 7:156, “(God’s) mercy encompasses all things.”

In Jeremiah 29:11 of the Old Testament, King James version, we read, “ ‘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.’ ”

The Tao Te Ching 74 and 7 read, “If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to…Because she has let go of herself, she is perfectly fulfilled.”

Hindu believers read in the Upanishad, verses 17.4.2: “One who worships hope as Brahman (from the root words for Growth Without Limitation,) One who worships hope as Brahman has all desires fulfilled.”

Believers in the Latter Day Saints read a message of hope in the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 31:20, “…press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God.” I like that phrase, “a perfect brightness of hope.”

Psalms 37:1-6 remind us, “Do not fret because of the wicked, do not be envious of wrongdoers, for they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good, so you will live in the land and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Of course, we understand that God is not a vending machine where we insert trust and automatically receive all the desires of our heart. It’s complicated, but I do believe that if we trust, and do good, if we can try not to fret and focus on all the negative things happening in the world, we will make it through to a place of security. I hope and pray for security and safety for all of us.

In the Christian New Testament, Matthew 5:9 Jesus gave messages of hope in the Sermon on the Mount, including: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”

Finally, also in the New Testament, in Paul’s letter to the Romans 15:13, we read this hopeful benediction: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope.”

“Abound in hope.” Such an important message in troubling times.

Not all of these scriptures will resonate with all of us, but I hope that something here speaks to you and gives you hope.

Whether or not you follow one or more of these scriptures from different religions, I pray you will find hope and comfort when needed. You are always welcome here, just as you are, with no need to mask.

Take heart, stay safe, find hope.