There are times in our lives when it seems we can find no hope, no reason to thank God, no reason to feel optimistic about our present circumstances or the future. In those times, we must look back on the things God has done, in our lives and in His word. There is always a reason for hope.
2MefromHim Devotionals
Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known… Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. Habakkuk 3:2, 17-19
There are times in life that are hard—illness, loss of a job, death of a loved one, the list goes on and on. Hope fades to a faint glow, which threatens to go out at the slightest breeze. Just making it through the day is a challenge. Learning to rejoice, to find something to thank God for is a challenge.
Habakkuk wrote his prophecy in the time of Jeremiah and Zephaniah, prophesying about the same events, the time of the Chaldeans and their ruin of Jerusalem. In spite of the terrible prophesies, Habakkuk speaks of God delivering His people and saving His anointed one. Here is great spiritual truth: even in the darkest night, when everything seems lost, God never leaves His people without hope.
When struggle dominates our days and pain consumes our nights, it is difficult to see anything promising on the horizon. Yet time and again, scripture reveals God’s promise of better things to come. Noah and his family entrusted their lives to the Lord when He sent them into the ark. Abraham looked forward when he left his home in Ur and headed for a place he knew nothing about. When it seemed his suffering had no end, Job proclaimed his certainty of seeing God. Paul and Silas believed when they sang songs of praise in a Philippian jail. Martyrs have died in hope through two thousand years of Christianity.
Hebrews 11 gives us a glorious history of God’s faithful who did not receive the promise in their lifetime, but died believing and Paul writes that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.
In times of struggle, it is good to have a prayer journal of God’s answers throughout our lives and notes in our Bible margins recording the dates when God fulfilled His promises. God never promises that all our prayers will be answered within our lifetime. However, we are promised God’s strength and the power to endure hardship through the presence of the Holy Spirit.
When caught in life’s trials, remember the goodness of God; the love and sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. I have all the power that raised Christ from the dead within me. How can I not have hope? How can I not give thanks?
© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, November 7, 2015
About the author:
Norma Gail’s debut contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, released in April 2014. She has led weekly women’s Bible studies for 20 years. Her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, FaithWriters, Romance Writers of America, and the New Mexico Christian Novelists. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 39 years. They have two adult children.
Connect with Norma:
Website: www.normagail.org
Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbZIoC_JSE
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Book Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/land-of-my-dreams-norma-gail/1119606864?ean=9781941103173
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. On Christ the solid rock I stand! Thank you for the reminder of who our hope is in when everything else feels like it is sinking around and beneath us.
Thank you, Marcie! When I wrote this back in November I had no idea how much my life would change in such a short time. God is so wise. I read this as if it was written for me rather than by me. I need it today for myself. God is good!
I love what you said above Norma, “I read this as if it was written for me rather than by me. I need it today for myself.” The Lord ministers to me through Morning Glory also. He is so good. Habakkuk 3:17-19 has long been one of my favorites. Thank you for the reminder of its offer of hope. With Jesus there is always hope, even in our most desolate places.
I find God often does that for me also. Thank you for being such a precious prayer warrior and friend!
Hi Norma…I came across this devotion a little before 6 AM this morning. It is a wonderful reminder of the hope we have in Jesus when we trust our life to Him. In difficult times, it is a blessing to look back and see all the times Jesus was with us. We were never alone. That reminds us that in our present circumstances we can once again believe that we can count on Him. As Marcie said: On Christ the solid rock I stand! That’s the best way to live.
Thank you for letting me know it meant something to you, Fran. I wrote it back in November. Life has changed a lot since then, and I found it ministered to me as well. God is never surprised!
great post i think i might start a prayer journal 🙂
I’m so glad my thoughts were meaningful to you! I appreciate you taking time to let me know!