Romans 15:13 NIV, “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.”
If you live here in the U.S., welcome to Fall! I hope that you had an enjoyable summer. Or whatever part of the world you’re in, welcome to your new season! My daughter is spending some time in South America and she says they just entered spring, which is my favorite season. I consider her lucky to get to enjoy spring twice.
At the beginning of the year, I shared that persevere was my word for 2024. Almost ten months into the year, I can definitely see why the Lord gave me that word. I have certainly had to persevere through some difficult things. As you reflect on the word persevere, I am sure you can think of multiple things you too have had to persevere through. Or perhaps, you’re still in the battle.
Yelena Odintsova of England 🏴
I have been thinking about hope lately, and I think that to remain hopeful takes courage, determination, and perseverance. Especially in the midst of the many changes that life often brings our way.
I saw this simple definition of hope from Oxford languages, “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.” This definition alerts us to the close relationship between hope, expectation and desire. When we’re hoping in someone or something, we usually have expectations and desires attached to that hope.
We all know it can be disappointing when our expectations are not met, and our desires go unfulfilled. Even sometimes when we hope in God and have expectations of Him, we may feel He has somehow let us down. However, I love it when God’s word reminds me of His faithfulness in the midst of my anxious thoughts…
Psalm 145:16 NIV, “You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing.”
Psalm 37:4 NIV, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
I believe there is hope in the fact that God always sees and hears us and will ultimately do what is best for us. Even when we don’t see the results right away.
In my own life, I have had to decide, sometimes daily, not to give up on hope. Romans 15:13 tells us, God is called the God of hope and He is willing to fill us with joy and peace that will cause us to overflow with hope. This promise assures us that we can keep persevering in hope, by His grace.
Lynnelle Richardson of Australia 🇦🇺
My biggest hope is to live eternally in heaven with Jesus, but as long as I am here on Earth, I have hopes for this life. I trust God to meet my needs and show me His goodness in this life. I encourage you to keep trusting Him as well.
Psalm 27:13 NIV, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”
Even in the midst of persecution, trials, difficult people or disappointing circumstances, decide not to lose hope. Decide not to give up on the God of Hope. He is the Giver of Hope and of all good things.
James 1:17 NLT, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”
Remember, God has not forgotten you and He never will. So don’t lose hope.
Have a blessed and hope-filled day.
Drawing Closer to Christ 