I Have Hope
“His faithfulness is deeply connected to hope.“
Lamentations 3:19-24 (NIV)
I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
Reflection
People in biblical times were no strangers to sadness and depression. In today’s verses, Jeremiah calls out in despair after the fall of Jerusalem, but he also recognizes there is hope found in God. When we find ourselves in the midst of disaster or tragedy, how we cope is vital to survival. If we study scripture (both the Old and New Testaments), we can clearly see God’s faithfulness throughout. Like Jeremiah, we can also call God’s faithfulness to our minds in time of affliction, so we may also have hope.
When we dwell on our poor circumstances, we start to convince ourselves there is no way out. When we focus on the negative, we risk an unhealthy spiral of defeating thoughts. But when we focus on our faith in God, we can see the hope of eternity. We can lift our chins and square our shoulders in His promises, and move through trials knowing that restoration is, indeed, possible.
Salmon migrate and swim upstream in a desperate attempt to find their spawning grounds. Even after years of being away, salmon can find their way back to the right spot by learning and memorizing certain scents as they travel. If the scent dissipates, the salmon innately knows to turn around and find it again. It knows to keep pushing through, pulling on instinct and experience to arrive at its destination. The salmon isn’t in despair, because it knows what awaits at journey’s end.
Likewise, by immersing ourselves in God’s word, we find example after example of His faithfulness, even when His people have fumbled royally. His faithfulness is deeply connected to hope. Hope gives us the courage to remember that tomorrow is another day, and God’s compassion renews each morning. No matter where we are along the path, God is with us. He asks us to trust Him, so we may find joy and hope, even when swimming upstream.
When your faith is shaken, do you still glorify God and trust Him? God says you can!
Action Steps
1. Take time this week to recognize how God has been faithful to you in the past. Make a list or even journal. Revisit this in times of hardship, and add to it each time He is faithful.
2. Do action step #1 with a family member or friend who may be struggling.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me what it means to trust in You. Thank You for being present in my life during tragedy and difficult times. So many times, You have shown me that You are in the storm too, waiting to fill me with peace. I pray You continue to speak hope to my sometimes downcast soul. Thank You for renewing Your love and compassion each day. Your promises and faithfulness flood me with hope. I love You! In Jesus’ name, amen.
I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
Reflection
People in biblical times were no strangers to sadness and depression. In today’s verses, Jeremiah calls out in despair after the fall of Jerusalem, but he also recognizes there is hope found in God. When we find ourselves in the midst of disaster or tragedy, how we cope is vital to survival. If we study scripture (both the Old and New Testaments), we can clearly see God’s faithfulness throughout. Like Jeremiah, we can also call God’s faithfulness to our minds in time of affliction, so we may also have hope.
When we dwell on our poor circumstances, we start to convince ourselves there is no way out. When we focus on the negative, we risk an unhealthy spiral of defeating thoughts. But when we focus on our faith in God, we can see the hope of eternity. We can lift our chins and square our shoulders in His promises, and move through trials knowing that restoration is, indeed, possible.
Salmon migrate and swim upstream in a desperate attempt to find their spawning grounds. Even after years of being away, salmon can find their way back to the right spot by learning and memorizing certain scents as they travel. If the scent dissipates, the salmon innately knows to turn around and find it again. It knows to keep pushing through, pulling on instinct and experience to arrive at its destination. The salmon isn’t in despair, because it knows what awaits at journey’s end.
Likewise, by immersing ourselves in God’s word, we find example after example of His faithfulness, even when His people have fumbled royally. His faithfulness is deeply connected to hope. Hope gives us the courage to remember that tomorrow is another day, and God’s compassion renews each morning. No matter where we are along the path, God is with us. He asks us to trust Him, so we may find joy and hope, even when swimming upstream.
When your faith is shaken, do you still glorify God and trust Him? God says you can!
Action Steps
1. Take time this week to recognize how God has been faithful to you in the past. Make a list or even journal. Revisit this in times of hardship, and add to it each time He is faithful.
2. Do action step #1 with a family member or friend who may be struggling.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me what it means to trust in You. Thank You for being present in my life during tragedy and difficult times. So many times, You have shown me that You are in the storm too, waiting to fill me with peace. I pray You continue to speak hope to my sometimes downcast soul. Thank You for renewing Your love and compassion each day. Your promises and faithfulness flood me with hope. I love You! In Jesus’ name, amen.
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