POSTED 19 FEBRUARY, 2008

The Complexity of Hope

by Mark Huey
mark@outreachisrael.net

reproduced from the McHuey Blog

Hope is one of those ethereal, emotional stimulators that in many regards can be suggestive of faith, but not necessarily analogous. Neither is tangible, but both given ignition, motivate the human soul in remarkably intricate ways. The Scriptures have a way of loosely tying hope to faith in this thumbnail definition of faith:

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

Here in a spiritual sense, faith appears more concrete and attached to something of substance. While on the other hand, hope seems to be dangling with expectations. Hence, when words evoking faith or the more subtle hope are articulated, the complex debate initiated between the human heart and mind bounces between the natural and spiritual realms. In which concept is one going to place his or her faith or hope?

In recent weeks, simply observing the political drama taking place on the American landscape that is generating decisions—which will ultimately affect every person on the planet—is a remarkable exercise, as a war of words reverberates in our collective souls. Have you noticed how words such as faith, hope, experience, solutions, and change, sprinkled by slogans such as “yes we can” (si se puede), are raising expectations in the inherent goodness of humanity to overcome failed policies of the American government?

What I find intriguing are the times when the emotions of hope tend to drown the solidarity of faith in the redeeming work of the Messiah. To further complicate things, it appears that young people of all faiths are being drawn to the politics of “hope.” This is disconcerting because many are confused because the very teachings of Yeshua are being usurped by those who want the government to fulfill the explicit roles of the followers of Yeshua.

Yeshua does give His followers hope in the world to come and His return to rule and reign over the world in the Millennial Kingdom. But for the most part, when that is going to happen is presently unknown. Young people, in particular, are looking for something in the here and now to devote their energies and talents. In 1960, John Kennedy tapped into those same idealistic aspirations of another generation that was motivated to give of their time, talent, and energies to work for a better America. It worked then and it appears to be working now for those who are using hope rather than faith as their primary motivator for change!

How do we as Believers who have been enlightened by God’s truth be motivated to make an even more positive change than those being motivated by the current political environment? Before we might speculate, or even complain, about the current season we find ourselves—what do you intend to do to offer more than just hope, but tangible spiritual realities, to all you may encounter?

Mark Huey (B.A., Vanderbilt University in History and Graduate Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) is the Director of Outreach Israel Ministries (www.outreachisrael.net). He is the author of several books, including: TorahScope, Volumes I & II, and Counting the Omer: A Daily Devotional Toward Shavuot. He is also co-author of Hebraic Roots: An Introductory Study.