.png)
Place Your Hope in Him
The Bible is full of examples of men and women who hoped in God's promises. Biblical hope not only desires something good for the future; it expects it to happen. And it not only expects it to happen; it is confident that it will happen. So what can cause our hope to go sour? Often, we hope in the wrong things. It's so easy to place our hope in this material world -- what we can see, taste, touch, and feel. These things are controllable to us. But God says His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). In fact, the things of this world do not provide a firm foundation for our lives (Colossians 2:8). Only when we look to the truly firm foundation for living -- Jesus Christ -- will we find a hope that can anchor our souls. It all begins with our relationship with God. If you have not been "born again," your hope is simply misplaced. If you are feeling hopeless right now, consider where your primary hope is grounded. Even if you know Jesus as your Savior, it is still very possible to still lose hope. We learn from Proverbs that "hope deferred makes the heart sick" (Proverbs 13:12). When our hopes are delayed, we can be overcome by a deep sense of despair. So how did the men and women of the bible do it? How did they hope in God for decades and centuries? If they did it, you can do it. God is the source of our hope, so submit yourself to Him. Come to Him in humility and with a grateful heart. Strengthen your faith in Him. Learn about all the amazing things that God has already done, and allow His previously fulfilled promises to renew your hope. Trust His timing. Sometimes God answers our prayers and fulfills our hopes quickly. At other times, for His own divine reasons, He allows us to wait. It is through faith and patience that our hope is fulfilled. Have patience. The bible never says "figure it out". Instead the bible reads, "Trust God." All we have to do is put our hope in Him. Take comfort in knowing that our Heavenly Father is always watching out for you.
Psalms 31:24
Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the LORD.
A Prayer for Today
Father God, I know You are the God of hope. So often hope is distant in my heart. Today I acknowledge that I need You. I need Your hope in my heart and I need Your filling. Please help me to do my part and trust You. Help me to trust You to give me the hope and the peace that Your Holy Spirit brings. Increase my faith so I can trust You fully with all the question marks in my life. Fill me by the power of Your Holy Spirit now. Your Holy Spirit is the only one who has the power to give the peace You offer into my weary soul. I trust you today with all the circumstances of my life.
Amen.