Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 6, 2017
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
Faith creates hope, so where faith is conceived hope is birthed. Yes, hope is the daughter of faith. Those who profess to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior possess hope. Hard times try to hinder hope’s comforting company, but it is unhindered where faith in God is the focus. Those who hold on to hope are happy. Where faith peers hope makes clear. Where there is a wall, hope finds a door. Where there is darkness, hope looks for a light. Hope expects Christ to come through.
What is hope? It is confidence in Jesus Christ, period. Confidence He is faithful. Faithful to follow through with His promise to provide us peace in the middle of our turmoil. Faithful to answer our prayers in His most productive process. Faithful to give our children what they need as long as they look to Him. Faithful to facilitate financial resources when we steward well what we already have. He is faithful by His restorative grace to heal relationships severed by sin. Hope bursts forth in possibilities when we embrace the promises fulfilled by the Lord’s faithfulness.
“You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety” (Job 11:18).
Since your security is in your Savior Jesus who has conquered sin, sorrow and death, hope is your wise weapon. Your Heavenly Father holds you in the palm of His hand, therefore nothing can reach you lest your divine protector gives permission. The Holy Spirit is your guide, thus you have a trusted leader who directs your path. “Your hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” Your two-handed grasp of God includes His double fisted hold on you!
When hope is deferred, avoid rejecting God and giving up. Wait on the Lord and hope in Him. He helps you when you feel helpless. He empowers you when you feel powerless. He encourages you when you feel discouraged. He gives joy when you feel joyless. Hope never disappoints. It gives life and a reason to live. If you let go of hope, your gracious Lord doesn’t let go of you. Like Mount Everest, your hope is unmovable, so hold unswervingly to your living hope: Jesus!
“We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield” (Psalm 33:20).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to hope in You when all seems hopeless.Application
In what situation do I need to hope for the best and plan for the worse?Related Reading
Psalm 33:22; Proverbs 13:12; Lamentations 3:21-29; Romans 4:18; 1 John 3:3Post/Tweet today
Like Mount Everest, your hope is unmovable, so hold unswervingly to your living hope: Jesus! #wisdomhunters #behopefulWorship Resource
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I have been inspired for the past 7 years with your devotional nuggets of wisdom.
Today’s Hold on to Hope was very confirming after reading of the Albuquerque police officer & his wife adopting a heroin addicted newborn whose mom was homeless and addicted(she herself being adopted). The couple named the baby Hope!
I love how our Lord confirms his love and Care through many ways and wanted to thank you for listening to and sharing His words of wisdom with us!
May His favor be upon you always,
Rhonda Littlefield
I was shocked by your “Application” First, after 2-3 paragraphs of what hope is and where it truly comes from so that the reader is feeling quite encouraged, then the application question appears. It seems awfully secular and fatalistic and has implications that hope is something we manufacture for ourselves. What a strange twist.
Dear Nancy,
Thank you for reaching out to us after reading “Hold On To Hope”. I apologize for taking so long to respond. I have been out of the office for 10 days and am just now catching up. Your comments are very important to us!
I re-read the application a few times and can understand your concern. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. However, after reading the devotional that precedes the application, Boyd Bailey, the author, is so clear on his beliefs on “where hope comes from”.
He states: “What is hope? It is the confidence in Jesus Christ, period.” He goes on to say, “Hope bursts forth in possibilities when we embrace the promises fulfilled by the Lord’s faithfulness”.
But, Nancy, maybe the wording on the application could have been different, and as I said before, we really appreciate your concern and the fact you took the time to reach out to us.
We are so thankful that you are a member of the Wisdom Hunter’s family and look forward to hearing from you again.
May God bless you and your family in this precious season of celebrating our Lord’s birth.
Rejoicing in the Savior,
Gwynne
“And there were shepherds living in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.” Luke 2: 8-10
Dear Rhonda,
Thank you so much for reaching out to us and sharing that beautiful story of hope (and Baby Hope!!). What an amazing couple who adopted Hope and her Mom. Truly a blessing! I would love to read more about this story. God’s fingerprints are all over this new, precious family.
Boyd stated in “Hold on to Hope” “Hope bursts forth in possibilities when we embrace the promises fulfilled by the Lord’s faithfulness”. I can’t help but think about the police officer and his wife who you wrote about when I read that statement!
Rhonda, in this sweet season of celebrating our Lord’s birth, we slow down from our busy lives to really think about our blessings. Our Wisdom Hunter’s family is one of those blessings we are so thankful for. We are grateful you are part of that family.
Please know I will share your comments with the WH staff.
May God bless you and yours.
Rejoicing in the Savior,
Gwynne
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel. praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:13-15