I don’t think anyone would argue with me when I say the inhabitants of this world are weary and in need of hope. All throughout the history of mankind it has been that way since the very beginning when people decided to pick their way over God’s way and God let them.

I believe there is still hope to be had. And that’s not just me being optimistic. (although I am pretty optimistic and can be annoyingly so)

Psalms 130: 6 says, “I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning.” I have long thought that verse meant that the watchmen were tired and eager for their shift to end, so they were watching for the sun to finally peek it’s welcome glowing face over the horizon so they could clock out and go home. Recently I heard another perspective: they watch for the sun to rise because every day the sun rises. They are watching and waiting for it to happen because they know it’s going to happen. They can count on it.

The hope we have in God because of Jesus is not wishful thinking or crossing fingers or knocking on wood. It’s a steely expectancy as we wait on God. It’s grounded in knowing and remembering his character: that He keeps his promises, He is good, He is light with no darkness, He never changes, He will never leave or forsake us, He is able to do anything – even the impossible, and He loves us.

It flourishes in remembering what God has done for us in the past and believing as sure as the sun rises every morning, that same God will do something this time, too.

This hope is really only truly found in surrender – surrender of believing I know best, surrender of demanding my own way, the open-handed surrender of everything I’ve been white-knuckling to receive whatever God has for me, to lay down the heavy weight of feeling responsible for outcomes that are almost always completely out of my control anyway. We’re meant to rely on Him. When this kind of hope takes root and grows in our hearts and we let go of all else, we are free.

Over the last few months my sister and I have watched our parents go through trying times with my dad’s health making all of us wonder what the future holds for them and what care they will need in the days and months ahead. It’s been stressful and exhausting for all of us and my sis and I have no clue about the future. We’ve never walked this path before. Actually, neither have my parents!

We remind each other that we don’t have to know all the steps or all the answers, but we need to trust God and watch for Him. We have read Scriptures to each other, prayed together, and taken turns pulling each other out of discouragement. God has been faithful and lovingly walked with us. As we have needed answers, He’s provided just what we need at that time, no more, no less. I think that’s his ploy to help us keep relying on Him. It works!

He’s been helping me see that if I let go of trying to figure out the whole plan or all the answers and just believe He will take care of us, I can have peace. If I put my hope in HIM and not the outcome. And it’s true. That’s so much better than the tornado of anxiety that happens in me otherwise.

A hope built on our plans or our desired outcomes is about as reliable as leaning back onto tissue paper. A hope built on God’s goodness, faithfulness, and love is solid rock. Even if I don’t know what He’s doing yet? Even if I don’t think I like what He’s doing? Even if he doesn’t open the door I was knocking on or give me what I want? Even if it seems like He’s not doing anything and it feels like I’ve been waiting forever? Even if it seems like I’ve been hollering up at the ceiling but no one is listening? Yes, friend. Don’t give up hope!

Romans 8:28 says “All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” That doesn’t necessarily mean Disney movie-ending type of “good,” but good according to God.

God’s version of what’s good for us often seems to involve struggle, being humbled, having to endure and persevere, holding joy and sorrow at the same time, bearing pain and loss, lots of unknowns, sacrifice, and other hard things.

But His version of good is lasting, rich and deep, the kind that gives true life, that feeds and rescues souls, and covers us in the peace of knowing He’s in control and we are loved. (The answer almost always blesses not only us but is meant to help and bless a lot of others, too.)

Give it a a try. Let go. Cry out to God. Rest your heart and mind.

Then watch the horizon, wait and believe. The sun WILL rise.