What is hope?
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, ‘hope’ is defined as “desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfilment.”
For instance, I realised purchasing Smart Desk Mat (Smart Paper Kit) with the tablet holder is not a good idea. I want it as I can use it as a book and iPad stand, but I think Smart Desk Mat is too big for school library desks.
I now have a Flipbook Case from Pitaka, a handbag/suitcase for an iPad with magnetic handles and one pocket pouch. Using the handle, I can open and use my iPad with the Magic Keyboard.
However, since it takes up much room in my school backpack, I also got MagEZ Folio from Pitaka. I noticed that version 2 of the Folio was coming up soon, one day after I got version 1. Therefore, I returned it.
Other than being a lightweight and portable case for an iPad, MagEZ Folio 2 is an iPad stand if we fold certain parts of it.
Although I am unsure if I can form it into an iPad stand and use my iPad comfortably, I returned an iPad stand I got through Amazon. I hope I can use MagEZ Folio 2 comfortably as an iPad stand, so I do not need to order one.
I also hope to find a suitable bookstand and a larger backpack on Amazon.
Biblical hope
Since ‘hope’ is defined as “desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfilment”, what about biblical hope?
Biblical hope is not wishful thinking; instead, it is a confident expectation that God will fulfil His promises because of His faithfulness.
One example in the Old Testament is that God led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt through Moses (Exodus chapter 12, verses 31-42; Exodus chapter 13, verses 17-22 and chapter 14, verses 1-31).
One example in the New Testament is that God has redeemed and delivered His people [believers] from their sinful nature through Jesus Christ (Titus chapter 2, verses 11-14).
Although we have been delivered from sinful nature through faith in Christ, we still sin.
We get tempted by our natural desires and follow them instead of the desires of God’s Spirit.
For example, since I will buy MagEZ Folio 2 soon, I was deciding when I’ll purchase it and how I’ll purchase it while I was supposed to write my articles.
Having my iPad within the Folio will be more comfortable when using it, even with no table to place it, like in a church or car. Due to this, I want to purchase it through Amazon when it comes out there, as it only takes two weeks once a product ships.
However, I do not need the Folio urgently to carry my iPad light as I think I do not need to carry library books in my bag until next semester of Carey Baptist College.
Hence, I can just order MagEZ Folio 2 in June. If I purchase Pitaka’s product(s) from the official website, I also can get a surprise gift. As I am their fan, I want a Pitaka black cap so badly.
I asked one of Pitaka’s workers if I could choose the black cap as my surprise gift if I purchase MagEZ Folio 2 from the website.
It took almost an hour to decide, but this might change. Because of this, I did not have time to write an article as I had to shower and have dinner.
At the end of the decision, I was reminded of Luke chapter 9, verses 57 to 62, which is about the cost of following Jesus. These verses tell us that following Him and doing the Spirit-led work is not meant to be delayed.
“Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”” (Luke chapter 9, verse 62)
Being committed to Jesus and following the leading of the Spirit is challenging.
Nobody is perfect at everything, but God only sees our committed and righteous hearts instead of our imperfectness because of our faith in Jesus. As Jesus paid the death penalty for us, He became our righteousness (Colossians chapter 1, verses 19-23).
Therefore, we have to look forward and heavenward. Although we live in the world, we are actually citizens of heaven (Philippians chapter 3, verses 12-21).
Since people receive new lives through faith in Jesus Christ and they can live their lives eternally and abundantly in His name, He is our living hope.
Therefore, cling to Him, always, with faith, whether in difficult or joyful times!
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans chapter 5, verses 1-5)
Kevin Park is studying at Carey Baptist College and finds that Christian-writing is his ultimate will of God and his ultimate method to build the kingdom of God. He started to become a Christian writer from 2013. Other than his writing life, Kevin desires to see that each finds everlasting satisfaction in God, the Almighty. You will be able to contact him at kevin.park1991@gmail.com. He loves to encourage others spiritually.
Kevin Park’s previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/kevin-park.html
