“But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.” Luke 24:21a (ESV)
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“I had hoped …”
It’s a familiar phrase I’ve gotten used to repeating in this season of my life.
I had hoped my intrusive thoughts would disappear completely by now.
I had hoped my energy would be fully back to normal.
I had hoped my faith would not be threatened by panic attacks.
Perhaps for you, it sounds more like:
I had hoped I’d get better from this long-lasting illness.
I had hoped I’d be married by now.
I had hoped this family conflict would resolve.
When we place all our hope in improving our situations, we become exhausted and lose sight of the promises of God. We begin to feel doubt even when we still ardently believe in and love God, even when we know He has our life in His control. It’s hard to hold on when the long-awaited answers to our prayers don’t seem to be coming.
I know of two disciples of Jesus who understood this too. Days after Jesus’ crucifixion, they walked the road from Jerusalem to a town called Emmaus, their sandaled feet kicking up dust, their broken hearts heavy with disappointment. They were mourning the man they “had hoped … was the one to redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21, emphasis added).
They talked to each other in disbelief about the latest news they’d heard: Some women had gone to Jesus’ tomb but hadn’t found His body. Then the resurrected Jesus joined them … but they did not even recognize Him!
Their hope was still in the past tense. They had a specific idea of what it would look like for Israel to be redeemed, and it didn’t include a crucified Messiah. So when Jesus was crucified, they assumed it was a lost cause.
Yet the risen Jesus revealed Himself by taking the time to walk with them to Emmaus, engaging them in conversation and eventually breaking bread with them. The men were amazed as revived hope fanned their faith back into flame: “They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?’” (Luke 24:32, ESV).
Might there be someplace in our own lives where God wants to help us refocus our trust away from a desired outcome and toward deeper trust in Him?
Let’s shift our perspective to present-tense hope in our Savior. We can be certain His heart toward us is good. His heart toward us is full of hope, life, and joy. Let’s strengthen our hearts to believe that our living God will come through.
He has already shown Himself faithful. We can trust He is making a way.
Father, I’ve been dreaming and hoping for a long time, and what I desire hasn’t come to pass. But You are my comfort; I can look at Your love and remember that You care about my heart. What You have in store for me is good, and You are providing for me even now. I wait on You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Better relationships don’t happen by accident. This season of Therapy & Theology, “Fight for Your Family,” will help equip you with biblical wisdom and therapeutic tools to work through issues and have better connection with your spouse, young kids, adult children, and even in-laws. Episode 1 just released, so start listening now!
Sarah’s devotional book, All the Hard Things: 50 Days Through the Valley, offers gentle affirmations, scriptural insights, and uplifting reminders of God’s intimate goodness for anyone experiencing a season of difficulty. It’s available now; order your copy today!
You can find more biblical encouragement and a gentle walk through the wilderness with Sarah at her website and catch up with her on Instagram.
Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (ESV).
Have you put your hope in a dream that hasn’t happened yet? How does this make you feel?
How can you lean into Jesus’ promises to take you into a deeper and lasting hope in Him? Share with us in the comments.
© 2026 by Sarah Freymuth. All rights reserved.
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