Enduring Hope Is In God, Not What He Can Do
30 May 2011 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Button, christian, God, Jesus, Joni Eareckson Tada, Lord, Natalie Grant, Psalm
“May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” (Psalm 33:22)
A couple of weeks ago I had the honor of exhibiting and speaking at the “Through the Roof Summit” put on my Joni Eareckson Tada’s ministry. It had been a few years ago since I had exhibited at this event the last time and my son had handed out buttons to everyone that came to our table.
Vickie, a woman I had met during the last event wheeled up to my table again this year. “Didn’t you hand out the ‘Hope Endures’ buttons a few years ago?” she asked. “Yes!” I said. “Oh, I still have it,” she responded. “I have had a really difficult few years, but I put that button up on the visor of my car and every time I get in my car I see it and say, ‘Hope endures, hope endures. . .’”
These are the treasures of stories that always touch me. A little button with a slogan I thought up years earlier has been the source of hope for one person.
Hope does endure. Through all of our ups and downs, infections and reactions, celebrations and disappointments, hope can always endure. But hope only endures if we have that hope in God. When we are tempted to hope for things, for results, for what God is going to do for us, that hope cannot hold firm. Our true hope can only endure when it is centered directly on who God is.
God is faithful, merciful, understanding, compassionate. He is bold, assuring, loving, and even a jealous God. He comforts, loyal, ever-present, and overflowing with joy. When our hope is simply placed in God–and whatever He decides is His best for us at the moment–then our hope will not be disappointed.
Prayer: Lord, help me to know that despite my circumstances Your hope always endures. Because I know You as my savior, I have a new and different kind of hope that those who do not have You. I can forget this easily and be persuaded to hope in the things the world hopes in. Keep me on Your path that always leads back to hope.
About the Author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and has lived with rheumatoid arthritis since 1993. She lives with significant daily pain and uses her ministry work as a tool to try to distract her from it. If you like the “Hope Endures” message you may enjoy browsing the Rest Ministries Shop for some of the items we h ave available. Looking for a beautiful song on hope? Check out Christian artist Natalie Grant singing “Our Hope Endures.” You will love the lyrics!
Do you have a favorite saying, quotation, or scripture that resides on your refrigerator or in your car? What short saying keeps you going when times are tough?”
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