April 27th

In this passage, the word ‘wait” in the Hebrew means to quietly wait. The word ‘hope’ in the Hebrew is a primary root meaning to twist or to whirl, to writhe in pain, as of childbirth, hence to hope, to wait patiently. Please notice the word ‘both’ in the passage. There must be a difference between the two words here. I believe that the hope is a struggle to survive in difficult circumstances. (Remember Jeremiah is the writer here.) In the vernacular, we might say, “Hang in there no matter what.” The idea of childbirth shows us that this hope is something that looks to the end result while going through great travail. Just as the mother expects that there will be a child produced by her struggle and pain, so the one who hopes has expectation of something good coming after all the struggle. He looks toward it as from the LORD, hence worth the struggle and waiting.

What are we waiting for? For God’s outcome, whatever that might be. For His salvation in the situation. Do you think the Israelites knew what to expect in their wait at the edge of the Red Sea when Moses told them to be quiet and wait? Do you think that Paul knew what was coming when he was told to wait in Damascus during his blindness? Do you think Rahab knew for sure the outcome of hanging her scarlet cord? Or Isaac when his father raised a knife over him on the altar? Do you think that Noah’s family knew the destination of their cruise? Do we know exactly what to expect at the rapture of the Church? Or even tomorrow for that matter?

We are supposed to be quietly going about our business, trusting through the struggles and pain that come our way, in expectation of God working out His plan and purpose for our lives. That kind of faith eliminates fear, doubt, and self-will.

HURDLES
There are hurdles ahead which we cannot see,
And only the Master knows what they will be.
There are pitfalls to leap and high walls to scale;
At some we may falter; at some we may fail,
For in our own strength the effort is vain;
But by trusting in Jesus the prize we will gain.
We must train for His service and practice His ways.
We must seek out His Word and follow with praise.
If we wait upon Him, our strength He’ll restore;
We’ll mount as the eagle; o’er hurdles we’ll soar.

If in our endeavors we seek Jesus’ face,
The race will be ours through God’s holy grace,
For only the Savior knows what lies ahead,
The hurts and the sorrows, the tears to be shed,
And only His power can survive every test
To lead us through safely and gain His sweet rest.

Prayer: Dear Lord, my hope lies only in You. Thank You that Your outcome will be my salvation in every situation.