From the front porch and beyond

In a recent bible study the teacher ask the

meaning of a word; a student answered, and the teacher suggested the answer was wrong. Googling the word, I found the student was correct. I find myself in the teacher’s shoes a lot. Words people use all the time, only to find they don’t mean exactly what I thought.

I find myself rolling the word hope around in my head.

What does it really mean to have hope?

Hope-The word hope in the New Testament is from the Greek word elpis. According to Strong’s Concordance, elpis means expectation, trust, and confidence. It comes from the root word elpo, which means to anticipate (with pleasure) and to welcome. Elpis is an expectation of what is guaranteed.

Guarantee-. εγγύηση greek

warranty, guarantee, security, bail, collateral, guaranty

אַחֲרָיוּת Hebrew-responsibility, liability, warranty, surety, guarantee, insurance

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. Jeremiah 29:11

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5

It just makes you want to spend more time with your dictionary. 🙃

What other wonderful truths are hidden in words we think we know the meaning of?

My Hope is in the Lord – Sanctus Real

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your hope!

Thank you.  Because of you I can walk in this world holding on to your guarantee and security. I can trust your truths, knowing this world is not my home. I have hope, a guarantee in Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone.

 

Debbie Kendrick