There are times it is simply enough to know that God is the God of Hope. There must be. When we don’t have the answers, when we don’t understand the outcome, when we don’t get what is going on – our only hope is found in God. It doesn’t take away our hurt. It doesn’t fix things. This isn’t some magic potion that clears everything up and all is well. It also isn’t some pie-in-the-sky thinking either. We don’t live well without hope and our hope cannot be placed in the hands of any other. We cannot move forward without hope, but we cannot look elsewhere for hope or we will be let down. Hope is only found in the God who created it all, including us. And since he created it all, he certainly can be a resting place for our hope.
Hope in God transcends our circumstances. Hope in God illuminates our path and reminds us we are not alone. Hope in God gives us the courage to take one more step when we feel too frightened to even lift our foot – as if we were stuck in cement and it had already hardened around us.
As we enter the holiday season, there is so much to celebrate. There is so much to look forward to discovering. There are good times ahead. But that doesn’t mean we will all celebrate. It doesn’t mean the holiday season is great for us all. It doesn’t mean there aren’t people struggling with grief, loneliness, fear, and hurt. That’s all the more real than the celebrations for so many. And this year everything seems to be amplified.
But what isn’t lost in it all is hope. It isn’t a hope in things getting better. It isn’t a hope we will get what we want. It isn’t a hope in people or places or situations. Hope is found in God who reminds us that no matter what, there is always a reason to take one more step. There is always a reason to pick up your head and see his glory. There is always a reason to lift your eyes to the hills – that really is where your help comes from. If God made the heavens and the earth – if he cared enough to make you – then he cares enough to provide you a wellspring of hope.
May your heart be lifted ever so gently to the God of Hope. May he surprise you with glimmers of goodness. May your spirits find rest and strength so hope can be discovered, one more time.
Focus Scripture:
Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
from where will my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and forevermore.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY 