WAITING AND HOPING
“Finally, grow powerful in union with the Lord, in union with his mighty strength!” (Ephesians 6:10)
“But those who hope in Adonai (or,’wait upon the Lord’) will renew their strength, they will soar aloft with eagles’ wings; when they are running they won’t grow weary, when they are walking they won’t get tired.” (Isaiah 40;31) This well-known verse from Isaiah has been a source of encouragement and inspiration for countless believers over the ages. When faced with insurmountable challenges and impossible situations, God provides this iron-clad promise which has stood the test of time.
When we consider the word as translated into English as ‘hope’ (or sometimes, ‘wait’) it is easy to miss the true sense of the original Hebrew meaning.( ve’kovye וְקֹויֵ֤ ) which in context provides us with a clear understanding of an active rather than a passive hope.
This word has a literal and figurative meaning as with many words in the English language. In the literal sense, it means, “to bind together like a cord.” It reminds us of the verse in Ecclesiastes 4:12: “… a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
In other words, kovye as used here is connected to the literal sense of being in complete union with the Lord. Our hope in God becomes unshakable as we remain closely united with Him. And, by the way, this can be equally expressed amongst one another as illustrated with the declaration in Psalm 133: “How good and how pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity (union).”
Figuratively, kovye conveys the active sense of anticipation. What we have here is the potential for every believer to grow strong in the power of His might when onewalks according to His ways! This hope in God is substantial wi th no limits! The apostle Paul describes it as being, “an anchor for our souls.” (Hebrews 6:19) It is not merely a set of ideas or propositions for one can agree with all the truths of the Bible yet still miss the power of God.
There are times in everyone’s lives when our strength needs to be renewed in God;
this is something perfectly natural. It is often God’s way of nudging us that we need to depend on Him in all things for our primary support in life and ministry. Even the great apostle, Paul, had to learn this (very painfully) as God reminded Him: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in (your) weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Maybe today, God wants you to soar above your circumstances like an eagle, viewing things from a high elevation that is free from the cloudy murkiness of life’s misconceptions and misdirections?
Raphael ben Levi
www.rogerlenk.co.za
