A study of Hope from Isaiah 40.

Just about everyone has some general dreams and aspirations. For some people, it might be as simple as learning the family business or as lofty as becoming the President of the United States. For others, their dreams include riches or popularity. Still, others have no desire for either of those things but instead, dream of serving God or fellow man in some capacity.

I’m not really concerned with which of these is better or worse. I’m just convinced that most people have some sort of dream and aspiration. Regardless of what our dreams or aspirations are, there is usually a lot of hard work and waiting involved. This is where hope comes in. Along the way to achieving our dreams and aspirations, many of us get bogged down in trials, temptations and other struggles. Hope can get us through these tough times.

If we lose hope, many would agree that our dreams and aspirations will simply not be fulfilled. Hope helps us work hard, wait for the appropriate time or place and most importantly, sustains us through difficulties. And yet, who or what should we place our hope in to achieve our dreams and aspirations?

Christian artists House of Heroes had a long, tough road to success. They knew that they were called to use their talents and abilities for God, but had to wait a long time and face many adversities. In their song (and music video) “So Far Away“, they describe their struggle of holding onto hope, in order to see their dream of becoming professional musicians.

Lyrics from “So Far Away” by House of Heroes

“We gotta hold onto hope.
In this heartless world we gotta hold on to hope.
We gotta let it go,
or it’ll eat us alive we gotta let it go.
Do you know me? Do you trust me?
Can you find me? Do you love me?

What if I told you we were so far away?
What if I told you would you go with me anyway?
What if I told you we were so far, so far away?
You gotta tell me the truth.

If they take that too then we have nothing to lose.
You gotta let me through.
I can make a way if you light the fuse.
I know you see me. I know you need me.
If you believe me, then I can be me.

We gotta hold on to hope.
In this heartless world we gotta hold on to hope.
What if I told you we were so far away?
What if I told you would you go with me anyway?
What if I told you we were so far, so far away?“

Small Group Discussion

1. As you watched this band’s road to fame, what impacted you most? Explain.
2. What are your dreams and aspirations for life? Discuss as a group.
3. Do you ever get discouraged, feeling like your dreams and aspirations will never be reached or achieved? Explain.
4. What does HOPE have to do with your dreams and aspirations? Explain.
5. Read Isaiah 40:28-31: “²⁸ Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. ²⁹ He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. ³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; ³¹ but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. “
6. What verse jumps out at you and why?
7. What does this passage reveal about God and in particular our HOPE in God?
8. When you think of your dreams and aspirations, how does this passage speak to you?
9. Spend some time in prayer, asking God to sustain us to reach our dreams and aspirations.

Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts

• How are you placing your hope in the Lord, to achieve your dream or aspiration?