Hope can be defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen. a longing; or a dream. According to Wikipedia, hope is an optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one’s life or the world at large. As a verb, hope definitions include: “expect with confidence” and “to cherish a desire with anticipation.” Other words for hope are aspiration, desire, wish, expectation, ambition, plan, aim, yearning, etc.
Rekindle can be defined as to relight (a fire), revive (something lost or lapsed), to start or stir up (something) again; to begin to burn again; to flare up again, or to arouse or cause to be aroused again. Other words for rekindled are, revive, revitalise, renew, regenerate, restore, breathe new life into, resuscitate, reawaken, kickstart, refresh, etc.
Jacob received the Abrahamic covenant blessing from his father – Isaac. He had to pass that blessing to one of his sons; the challenge was he had twelve of them. Normally, the candidate would be the firstborn; but it appeared that Jacob already found that candidate in Joseph, his eleventh son; and the first son of his preferred wife – Rachel (Gen. 37: 1-4).
As time progressed, it looked like Jacob’s hope that Joseph would be the beneficiary of that covenant and blessing was not to be, as Joseph’s brothers had connived together and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites of Egypt as a slave; and also made his disappearance looked to their father like a wild animal had killed and eaten him up (Gen. 37: 25-35).
Twenty plus years later, Jacob got a piece of shocking news from his sons again that Joseph was still alive, and that he was now a ruler in Egypt! He did not believe them. But when he saw all that Joseph had sent to bring his whole family into Egypt; his hope in living was rekindled! He longed to see his favourite son again, he jumped on the wagon and embarked on a long journey to Egypt through the desert. When he saw Joseph, his spirit revived, and he lived another 17 years more. He died at the age of 147. Those last 17 years were the very best of his entire life (Gen. 45: 1-28; 47: 27-31).
There are covenants and promises that God had made with us and said to us from childhood or in our early years that might have seemed elusive till now; such that hope regarding them is now vague. God has impressed it upon my spirit that in this season, such hope shall be rekindled, and set aflame again.
There will be positive and surprise occurrences that will ignite our hope on fire again. Those covenants will stand sure; the promises will be fulfilled in Jesus name. We are about to enter into the better part of our lives. Our spirit shall be revived, and nothing shall be insurmountable to us in Jesus name.