“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
We are reminded of God’s sovereignty and infinite power whenever we take note of God’s creation in motion around us; seeing the moon and stars in the night sky, feeling the ocean waves rolling onto the shore, or hearing a thunderstorm bringing much-needed rain. He has immeasurable power we can unquestionably put our hope in, making Him the source of our hope (Romans 15:13).
Ordinary people in the Bible faced adversity, yet, they too, had hope in God. The story of David is just one example. As a young shepherd who took care of his father’s flock, God enabled him to protect his father’s sheep from bears and lions. David knew God, and he had God’s favor. When he heard the giant, Goliath, defying the God of Israel and His army, David volunteered to confront and defeat him! David advanced and killed the giant, armed with a sling, a stone, and the power of God! David rose to that challenge because in his past experiences with God, he knew that God was trustworthy. He hoped that God would see him through a seemingly impossible situation, and He did! We all go through struggles, but our faith as believers in Jesus sustains our genuine hope in Him. We can live our lives with the confident expectation of the goodness and glory of God!
Guiding Points:
Call to Action: What things give you hope in God? Read these verses, praying for your hope in Him to be increased.
“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him” (Psalm 62:5).
“For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, Who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:10).
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we lift Your name up high today! You are mighty, powerful, and sovereign! You are worthy of our hope and faith as we consider all You have done so for us, Lord! We ask You to magnify our hope in You. Help us live with unceasing optimism that You are with us wherever we are! Glory, hallelujah! In Your name, we pray, Amen!
Final Thought: When we stay the course and have faith, we are reminded that God is always with us.
Hope for Ordinary People
The Strongest Faith in the Deepest Pain
“For she said, ‘If I touch even His garments, I will be made well’” (Mark 5:28).
Walking Confidently in His Light
“For once, you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So, live as people of light!” (Ephesians 5:8).
On the Solid Rock, We Stand
“He alone is my Rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken” (Psalm 62:6).
Battling Anxiety: A Christian Perspective
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad” (Proverbs 12:25).
Let the Peace of Christ Rule
“Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one Body, you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
Surrounded by The Father
“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).
God Uses Imperfect People in Extraordinary Ways
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
Turning Your Mess into a Message
“Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me” (Psalm 66:16).
Encouragement and Prayer for New Graduates
Graduation is such an exciting moment! While it’s the end of a significant chapter, it’s the beginning of many new ones forward! Taking time to celebrate this milestone is important. While there may be some uncertainty about next steps, God’s Word provides direction for the road ahead. God cares about the details of every life and wants to lead each graduate to their purpose in Christ. When we seek His face and lean into Him, He promises to be with us in every step of the journey (Matthew 6:33).