Hope—wishful

 thinking  or  confident  expectation?  

 
Let  the  words  of  my  mouth  and  the  meditations  of  my  heart;  be  acceptable  in  Your  sight,  Oh  Yahuweh,  my  
Rock  (Strength)  and  my  Redeemer!  Psalm  19:14  
 
Our  words  and  thoughts  need  to  line  up  with  His  Word  and  His  Will!  According  to  my  NKJV,  this  verse  
really  states,  “Let  what  I  speak  and  what  my  heart  murmurs  to  itself  be  a  delight  to  You,  Yahuweh!”  To  
me,  this  is  backing  up  1  Corinthians  2:11-­‐16  and  2  Corinthians  10:4-­‐6  saying  our  thoughts  need  to  align  
with  our  spirit  (which  is  aligned  to  His  Spirit)  and  we  don’t  need  to  be  fake  by  saying  one  thing  but  what  
is  in  our  heart  is  something  totally  different.  We  are  to  “speak  the  kind  of  words  that  confirm  what  we  
believe  or  think  in  our  hearts  about  Elohim”  (Yahuweh  and  Yahushua).  
 
Those  of  us  who  were  raised  in  the  western  culture  (me  included)  use  ‘hope’  very  flippantly,  as  a  sort  of  
wishful  thinking.  How  many  of  us  have  heard  or  made  statements  like  these:  
 
“I  hope  he  gets  better.”  
 
“I  hope  Yahuweh  (God)  helps  me  through  this.”  
 
“My  hope  is  in  Yahuweh!”    
 
“I  hope  Yahuweh  heals  me  or  heals  so  and  so.”  
 
“I  hope  you  have  a  good  day.”  
 
When  you  said  these  or  heard  these  statements,  did  you  think  hope  as  in  ‘wishful  thinking’  or  did  you  
think  you  were  saying  “It  is  going  to  happen!”?  I  can  openly  admit  that  I  used  to  think  of  hope  as  wishful  
thinking.    
 
 A  modern  dictionary  says  hope  as  a  noun  is  “the  feeling  that  what  is  wanted  can  be  had  or  that  events  
will  turn  out  for  the  best;  a  feeling  of  desire  for  something  and  confidence  in  the  possibility  of  its  
fulfillment.”  As  a  verb,  one  definition  has  it  right  but  most  say  “to  feel  that  something  desired  may  
happen.”  
 
This  definition  sums  up  what  I  have  experienced  with  this  word.  It  has  turned  into  a  pansy  word  that  
people  use  very  nonchalantly  to  express  their  desire  instead  of  what  they  supposedly  KNOW  and  
BELIEVE  wholeheartedly…that  Yahuweh  will  provide  in  all  situations,  proving  they  actually  BELIEVE  HIS  
WORDS.    
 
From  the  1828  Noah  Webster’s  dictionary,  it  has  hope  defined  much  better:  
 
“The  primary  sense  is  to  extend,  to  reach  forward;  a  desire  of  some  good,  accompanied  with  at  least  a  
slight  expectation  of  obtaining  it,  or  a  belief  that  it  is  obtainable.  Hope  differs  from  wish  and  desire  in  this,  
that  it  implies  some  expectation  obtaining  the  good  desired,  or  the  possibility  of  possessing  it.  Hope  
therefore  always  gives  pleasure  or  joy;  whereas  wish  and  desire  may  produce  or  be  accompanied  with  
pain  and  anxiety.”  Then  it  says  from  a  Scriptural  sense,  “confidence  in  a  future  event;  the  highest  
degree  of  well  founded  expectation  of  good;  as  a  hope  founded  on  God’s  gracious  promises;  He  that  
gives  hope  is  He  or  that  which  furnishes  ground  of  expectation  or  promises  desired  good  as  in  ‘The  
hope  of  Israel  is  the  Messiah.’  An  opinion  or  belief  not  amounting  to  certainty,  but  GROUNDED  on  
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SUBSTANTIAL  EVIDENCE.”    Examples  of  this  are  all  through  the  Scriptures  like  His  promises  of  eternal  
life,  forgiveness  of  our  sins  and  more,  BUT  ONLY  IF  we  follow  His  commandments,  walk  in  His  ways,  turn  
from  evil,  have  faith/belief  in  His  Words  and  in  His  Son,  Messiah  Yahushua!  
 
Let’s  look  at  the  word  ‘hope’  in  the  Scriptures  with  the  Hebraic  meaning!  
There  are  two  main  meanings:    
 
• #8615,  tiqvah  (teek-­‐vah)  meaning  hope,  expectation;  something  yearned  for  and  anticipated  
eagerly;  something  for  which  one  waits  (but  as  Derek  said,  waiting  is  an  action  also!).  Tiqvah  
occurs  33  times  in  Scripture  and  comes  from  the  verb  qavah  meaning  ‘to  wait  for’  or  the  original  
meaning  ‘to  stretch  like  a  rope’.  Examples  of  this  hope  include  Hosea  2:15,  Joshua  2:18,  21,  and  
Psalm  71:5.  
Ø Joshua  2:18  in  the  story  of  Rahab  “unless,  when  we  come  into  the  land,  you  bind  this  line  of  
scarlet  cord  in  the  window  through  which  you  let  us  down…”  Cord  in  this  verse  actually  is  
tikvah  (hope  in  the  form  of  a  rope/cord  stretched  out)…meaning  Rahab  could  confidently  
wait  for  them  to  return  and  destroy  everyone  and  everything  except  her  and  those  in  her  
house.  She  KNEW  she  would  be  safe.  She  demonstrated  her  expectation  of  a  promised  
deliverance  through  (allowing  as  much  slack  as  necessary,  unraveling  all  doubt,  in  order  that  
the  promise  oath,  securely  tied,  would  be  fulfilled  at  the  appointed  time.  
• #1680,  elpis  (el-­‐peece)  meaning  hope,  not  in  the  sense  of  an  optimistic  outlook  or  wishful  thinking  
without  any  foundation,  but  in  the  sense  of  confident  expectation  with  a  sure  basis  or  based  on  
solid  certainty.  According  to  the  NKJV,  “Biblical  hope  rests  on  Elohim’s  promises,  particularly  those  
pertaining  to  Messiah’s  return.  Hope  is  never  inferior  to  faith  but  an  extension  of  faith!”  I  say,  hope  
is  proof  of  your  faith  in  that  you  confidently  KNOW  His  Word  and  His  promises  are  true  and  
will  come  to  fruition!  Examples  of  this  hope  include  1  Thessalonians  1:3,  Romans  5:1-­‐5,    
1  Corinthians  13:13,  Galatians  5:5,  6,  Colossians  1:4,  5,  and  Hebrews  10:22-­‐24.  
Ø Romans  5:  1-­‐5  “Therefore,  having  been  justified  (made  righteous)  by  faith  (trust),  we  have  
peace  (wholeness)  with  Elohim  through  Messiah  Yahushua,  through  whom  also  we  have  
access  by  faith  (trust/confidence)  into  this  grace  (His  favor/blessing)  in  which  we  stand  
and  rejoice  in  hope  (confidence/trust)  of  the  glory  (radiance-­‐value-­‐honor/kavod)  of  Elohim.  
And  not  only  that,  but  we  also  glory  (hold  our  head  up  high  with  confidence  in  Yah)  in  
tribulations  (persecution,  affliction,  internal  pressure-­‐without  options),  knowing  that  
tribulation  produces  perseverance  (endurance;  steadfastness);  and  perseverance,  
character  (approved  or  proved  through  testing;  tried  and  true);  and  character,  hope  
(confident  expectation  of  what  is  sure).  Now  hope  does  not  disappoint  (Interlinear-­‐  does  
not  make  ashamed  meaning  no  disgrace  or  confusion)  because  the  love  of  Elohim  (His  
preference  of  us;  esteem)  has  been  poured  out  (shed;  bestowed  liberally)  in  our  hearts  by  
the  Set-­‐Apart  Spirit  who  was  given  to  us.”  In  other  words,  we  can  confidently  expect  the  
above  because  of  what  hope  means!  We  know  with  evidence  it  will  occur.  We  build  this  
confident  expectation  as  we  walk  out  our  salvation  and  see  His  promises,  His  miracles,  
and  His  favor  in  our  lives  through  His  Spirit  (the  Helper)  He  gave  us!  
 
When  we  say,  “My  hope  is  in  Yahuweh  or  Yahushua!”,  we  have  to  prove  we  actually  believe  those  words  
through  our  actions.  If  we  have  prayed,  confessed  all  sins  known  or  unknown,  repented,  and  asked  for  
forgiveness  of  them,  bound  the  enemy  and  commanded/cast  off  all  spirits  not  of  Yahuweh,  and  praised  
Him  for  something,  we  have  to  walk  in  what  we  say  we  believe…by  joyously  praising  Him  through  our  
adversity,  trials,  difficulties,  and  afflictions,  and  standing  on  His  Word,  confidently  knowing  His  Word  and  
His  promises  will  come  to  pass!  If  we  walk  around  crying  and  moping  about  everything,  in  constant  inner  
turmoil,  depression,  and  worry/fretting,  then  we  are  proving  we  DO  NOT  BELIEVE  OR  PUT  OUR  TRUST  
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IN  HIM!  Fear,  worry,  fretting,  allowing  the  enemy  to  consume  our  thoughts  with  lies,  and  more…is  NOT  
trusting  and  hoping  (having  confident  expectation  based  on  solid  certainty).  When  we  allow  these  
things  to  operate  in  our  lives,  we  are  sinning…it’s  ugly,  it’s  not  what  anyone  wants  to  hear,  but  it  is  
the  truth,  His  Truth!  I  speak  it  to  myself  first…I  used  to  do  this  constantly.  I  used  ‘hope’  as  my  way  of  
sounding  positive  and  sounding  like  I  believed  in  what  He  said,  but  my  actions  by  my  use  of  the  word  and  
my  fear/worrying/moping/etc.  proved  otherwise  and  cancelled  His  plans  since  I  allowed  the  enemy  to  
consume  my  thoughts  instead  of  truly  trusting  and  believing  in  His  Word  and  promises!  It  is  okay  to  cry  
out  to  Father  and  Messiah  Yahushua  for  something…but  then,  you  need  to  believe  They  heard  you  and  
will  answer  you.  This  is  when  you  move  on  to  praising  Him,  thanking  Him,  proclaiming  and  showing  in  
your  actions  you  believe  He  will  answer  you  or  show  you  His  plan,  His  way,  His  purpose.    
 
Our  words  are  powerful  (Matthew  15:11)!  Our  thoughts,  if  not  brought  under  submission  to  His  Spirit,  
can  open  the  door  to  the  enemy.  This  is  why  He  said  do  not  look  onto  evil  but  to  turn  away  from  it  (1  
Peter  3:10-­‐12;  Proverbs  3:7,  4:27;  Psalm  34:14,  101:3-­‐4)!  This  is  why  He  said  to  align  everything  (mind,  
body,  soul,  being)  to  His  Spirit  in  us  (1  Corinthians  2:11-­‐16;  2  Corinthians  10:4-­‐6;  Romans  12:1-­‐2;  
Philippians  4:4-­‐9;  Ephesians  4:22-­‐24)!  Don’t  just  read  the  above  paragraph—get  your  Scriptures  out  and  
look  up  the  verses.  You  won’t  see  change  in  your  inner  self  without  work  and  dedication  in  the  Word,  and  
spending  time  in  prayer  and  praise  with  Him!  
 
Decide  today…are  your  words  and  actions  going  to  bring  forth  His  favor,  His  promises,  and  His  
eternal  joy  into  your  life  OR  are  you  going  to  allow  your  words  and  actions  to  cancel  His  plans,  His  
healings,  His  miracles  and  His  favor  in  your  life?  With  Messiah  Yahushua  and  His  Spirit,  we  can  overcome  
anything,  any  principality,  ANYTHING!!!!  We  have  the  power  through  His  Name  and  with  His  Spirit  in  us!  
Start  using  the  power  He  promised  and  gave  to  us!  See  the  Appendix  below  for  more.  
 
Yearning  for  His  shalom  and  eternal,  living  joy  to  flow  through  you,  
Rivkah  
 
 
Hope  Appendix  
Here  are  some  verses  with  ‘hope’  in  them.  Proclaim  these  and  KNOW  they  are  true  because  He  is  Light,  
He  never  lies,  and  He  is  the  same  today,  yesterday,  and  forever!  
 
Psalm  16:8-­‐11  “I  have  set  Yahushua  always  before  me;  because  He  is  at  my  right  hand  I  shall  not  be  
moved.  Therefore,  my  heart  is  glad,  and  my  glory  rejoices;  my  flesh  also  will  rest  (dwell  securely)  in  hope.  
For  You  will  not  leave  my  soul  in  Sheol,  nor  will  You  allow  Your  Set-­‐apart  One  (Messiah)  to  see  (undergo)  
corruption  (decay).  You  will  show  me  the  path  of  life;  in  Your  presence  is  fullness  of  joy;  at  Your  right  
hand  are  pleasures  forevermore.”  We  can  confidently  expect  eternal  life  if  we  believe  in  Him,  know  
Him,  keep  His  commandments…He  will  Light  our  path  and  bring  us  into  His  presence  in  fullness  of  
joy!  
 
Psalm  31:24  “Be  of  good  courage,  and  He  shall  strengthen  your  heart,  all  you  who  hope  in  
Yahuweh/Yahushua!”  (all  who  trust  and  are  confident  in  Yahuweh/Yahushua)  
 
Psalm  71:5  “For  You  are  my  hope,  O  Yahuweh  Elohim,  You  are  my  trust  from  my  youth.”  Put  all  your  trust  
and  confidence  in  Yahuweh/Yahushua  and  His  Word!  
 
Proverbs  23:17-­‐18  “Do  not  let  your  heart  envy  sinners,  but  be  zealous  for  the  fear  of  Yahuweh  all  the  day;  
For  surely  there  is  a  hereafter  (future/latter  end),  and  your  hope  will  not  be  cut  off.”  We  can  trust  and  
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have  confident  expectation  of  eternal  life  if  we  fear  Yahuweh!  
 
Lamentations  3:26  “It  is  good  that  one  should  hope  and  wait  (patiently  look  for/expect)  quietly  for  the  
salvation  of  Yahuweh.”  
 
Acts  24:14-­‐15  “But  this  I  confess  to  you,  that  according  to  the  Way  which  they  call  a  sect,  so  I  worship  the  
Elohim  of  my  fathers,  believing  all  things  which  are  written  in  the  Law  (Torah)  and  in  the  Prophets.  I  have  
hope  (expectation)  in  Elohim,  which  they  themselves  also  accept  (wait  for),  that  there  will  be  a  
resurrection  of  the  dead,  both  the  just  (righteous)  and  the  unjust  (unrighteous).  This  being  so,  I  myself  
always  strive  to  have  a  conscience  without  offense  toward  Elohim  and  men.”  
 
Ephesians  1:17-­‐18  “that  Elohim  of  Yahushua  Messiah,  the  Father  of  glory  (splendor/majesty),  may  give  to  
you  the  spirit  of  wisdom  and  revelation  in  the  knowledge  (perception/discernment)  of  Him,  the  eyes  of  
your  understanding  (intention/character/self  will)  being  enlightened  (made  evident);  that  you  may  
know  what  is  the  hope  (trust/confident  expectation)  of  His  calling,  what  are  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  His  
inheritance  in  the  saints  (set-­‐apart),…”    
 
1  Peter  1:3-­‐9  “Blessed  be  Elohim  and  Father  of  Messiah  Yahushua,  which  according  to  His  abundant  
mercy  has  begotten  us  again  to  a  living  hope  through  the  resurrection  of  Yahushua  Messiah  from  the  
dead,  to  an  inheritance  incorruptible  (imperishable),  and  undefiled,  and  that  does  not  fade  away,  
reserved  in  heaven  for  you,  who  are  kept  by  the  power  of  Elohim  through  faith  for  salvation  ready  to  be  
revealed  in  the  last  time.  In  this  you  greatly  rejoice,  though  now  for  a  season,  if  need  be,  you  are  or  have  
been  grieved/distressed  (in  heaviness)  through  manifold  temptations  (trials):  That  the  trial  
(genuineness)  of  your  faith,  being  much  more  precious  than  gold  that  perishes,  though  it  be  tried  (tested)  
with  fire,  may  be  found  to  praise,  honor  and  glory  at  the  appearing  (revelation)  of  Yahushua  Messiah,  
whom  having  not  seen  (known),  you  love;  though  now  you  do  not  see  Him,  yet  believing,  you  rejoice  with  
joy  unspeakable  (inexpressible)  and  full  of  glory,  receiving  the  end  of  your  faith—the  salvation  of  your  
souls.”  
 
Read  all  of  Romans  8!  Look  up  hope  in  the  back  of  your  Scriptures  or  in  a  Strong’s  Concordance  to  study  
all  the  verses  from  Genesis  to  Revelation  on  hope.  Also,  as  you  read  the  Word,  start  CONFIDENTLY  
EXPECTING  it  to  come  to  pass  in  your  life!  
 
Parentheses  (back  to  Hebraic  meaning),  italics  and  His  restored  Names  are  my  insertions  
 

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