THE Bible has but little to say about despair: the word appears only three times in the whole book. But Holy Writ has indeed much to say about hope. In fact, the word "hope" is used in the Bible over forty times more than the word "despair"; so the references to the element in human consciousness which anchors or binds thought to an expectancy of experiencing substantial good are much more abundant in the Biblical records of God's goodness and good purposes than are the references to despair. Therefore, the seekers for rest and peace may well "hope in God." The Word of God surely justifies this hope, and Christian Science reveals the way whereby to realize fully the loving promises included therein. It can be demonstrated that "hope in God" has a firm foundation, and despair none whatever.
Reverting to the Biblical use of the word "hope," it may be seen that the original Hebrew word meant, literally, a cord; figuratively, expectancy. It is interesting to note that the original word conveyed the meaning of a binding effect, and that in its figurative meaning it was allied to faith —even as Paul declared that hope was one of the three great virtues, the others being faith and charity.
The word "hope" first appears in the Bible in the book of Ruth, and issued from the mouth of Naomi as she reasoned with her daughters-in-law in the endeavor to persuade them to remain in Moab while she returned to her own former home city, Bethlehem-judah. But the hope was chiefly in the heart of Ruth; and it aided her to work out her fidelity to her mother-in-law, an example of importance to family relationships even in this day; for the trusting, hopeful love reflected by Ruth did much to heal Naomi of the despair occasioned by the loss of her two sons. It was a sweet friendliness faithfully extended to one in great need which made the character of Ruth one of the greatest ever manifested among the daughters of men.
