HOPE

Have HOPE. What really is HOPE, you might be wondering, especially in this present time. The word Hope is said 130 times in 121 bible verses according to the Strong’s Concordance (Blue Letter Bible, 2022). However, there are several aspects or different meanings of this unique word. It’s a word that produces emotion with feelings of encouragement, desire, trust, expectation, confidence, faith, or belief for something better to occur. Rhode Islanders perhaps may reflect on the state flag, an anchor with a banner somewhat scalloped at its base bearing the word HOPE. According to the RI state website, State Symbols, they explain that the origins of how and why the word HOPE was chosen is unclear. However, Howard M. Chapin offers the most logical explanation in his historical writings, Illustrations Of The Seals, Arms And Flags Of Rhode Island. (State Symbols, 2022). They further explain, Mr. Chapin wrote that this was probably inspired by a scripture verse from Hebrews chapter 6:19. It is as follows: “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entered into that within the veil…” (Blue Letter Bible, 2022).  This word HOPE in the original Greek language is “to anticipate, usually with pleasure, expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence: faith, hope.” (Blue Letter Bible, 2022). I often wonder what the early settlers were feeling as they made such a perilous journey to an unknown land. Were they pondering the scripture in Hebrews? Perhaps, and the previous verse as well, “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us” Hebrews chapter 6:18 (Blue Letter Bible, 2022). My point is they trusted God, they knew it was impossible for HIM to lie they face great uncertainty and we as well today, but they had a comfort in the HOPE that anchored their souls. So don’t lose your HOPE, we need it more today than ever. The scripture in Proverbs 13:12 says that Hope deferred, makes the heart sick, but when the thing hoped for comes it is The Tree of Life (Blue Letter Bible, 2022). Keep your HOPE, you can trust GOD!

References

Hebrews 6 and Proverbs 13:12 (KJV) 2022 retrieved from, blueletterbible.org

State Symbols-Origins of the Seal of the State of Rhode Island 2022, retrieved from www.RI.GOV