May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.
May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.
Lord, give victory to the king!
Answer us when we call! ~(portions of) Psalm 20
Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11
But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
In two Eastridge groups recently, we were discussing the meaning of the word “hope” (Bistro Theology and my Wednesday morning bible study). Like the words “fear” and “joy”, meaning can lie within one’s interpretation, especially of scripture.
In his devotional New Morning Mercies, Paul David Tripp talks about biblical hope. Instead of just wishing for something, he defines biblical hope as “a confident expectation of a guaranteed result that changes the way you live.”
I like how he goes on to say that biblical hope is confident in the power, love, faithfulness, and wisdom of God, not dependent on our own qualities. “Because God is who he is and will never, ever change, hope in him is hope well placed and secure.”
Hope in Christ gives us strength and security. During this time of pandemic uncertainty, we can rest assured in Him.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for promising that you will be with us, no matter what happens. You have not promised us an easy life, a predictable tomorrow, or exemption from grief and pain. However, you have promised that you know what our future holds, and it is with You. Comfort us when we feel hopeless, and help us remember that You are in control. Amen.
Donna Gustafson
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