Devotions on Hope
- Liz Collard Arnold
- Feb 23, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Monday
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Romans 12:12)
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines hope as a "desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment." When I read the part in the above scripture that says to rejoice in hope, along with the definition, I understand that hoping is a positive experience. We don't hope to get fired, to have a bad day or to lose our phones. Hope is not negative. The apostle Paul understood this and wrote to the Roman citizens encouraging them to rejoice in hoping.
There are three parts to this scripture and I feel that the suggestions Paul makes are listed backwards. For me, the first step is to pray, constantly. Right now my husband and I are seeking God's direction on our next steps, so we include this request in our prayers daily. The next step is to be patient. Tribulation is another way of saying troubles or suffering. When these come our way, which they do, Paul encourages us to be patient. Why? Because God will answer our prayers and this knowledge gives us hope.
My husband and I thank God for His promises to provide for us. God's answer may come in a way we aren't expecting, but it will come. My husband and I can rejoice in hope because we have an expectation that God will fulfill our requests.
Lord,
Thank you for showing me that hope is a positive and enjoyable experience. Today, I'm specifically praying for _____. Help me to be patient as you answer my prayer and have the strength and courage to face tribulations. Thank you for being a faithful source of hope.
Merriam-Webster, “hope,” accessed March 2, 2024, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hope
Tuesday - Devotions on Hope
Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. (Proverbs 23:18)
It’s interesting how the lack of hope can cause anxiety. Not that long ago, I left a stable, permanent career to go into full time ministry and there are times when I’m downright terrified. Mostly finances, or the lack of, is the number one fear. This verse gives me a lot of comfort. The answer may not look like I want it to, but I know He will provide.
God’s word is full of promises. He promises to bless us, to heal us, to strengthen us, that He will be with us, He will protect us and forgive us, and many more. In this scripture God is promising us that our hope in Him will be fulfilled. He is reassuring us that we can count on Him to come through. He won’t let us down. Even if we don’t understand, we can stand firm in the hope we have in Him.
Putting my hope in God anchors me to His promises and gives me a lot of comfort. Are you battling in an area of your life that seems hopeless? I encourage you to pray this prayer:
Lord,
I choose to put my hope in you. May my strength not be found in myself, but solely in you. Help me to wait patiently for the things I’m hoping for and be willing to accept your answers and ways, even if they look different than mine.
Wednesday - Devotions on Hope
For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. (Psalm 71:5)
The psalmist, David, is crying out to God in Psalm 71. He is imploring God to be his refuge and to deliver him from all of his oppressors. He is telling God that He, alone, is his hope. David knows where his hope lies. Where do you put your hope?
It's easy to want to solve our own problems or take matters into our own hands. Too often, I try to think through every scenario or have a Plan B, C, and D. God lets me run wild until, exhausted, I surrender it all to Him. I can just picture Him shaking His head lovingly. Or, perhaps, it's painful for Him to watch. I struggle to see my daughter try to make sense out of her life's struggles, so I can relate to God watching me. When we try to do everything ourselves then our hope is not in God; it's in our own thoughts and abilities.
Hoping in God is the safest place to put your hope. David knew God so well. They had spent years getting to know one another in the fields when David tended to his father's flocks. Later in the psalm, David said, "I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more." Although it can sometimes be difficult, I encourage you to put your hope in God and leave it there!
Lord,
Help me to see that I cannot do anything without you. I choose to come to you with my problems and believe that you are working out everything for my good, even when I can't see it. I praise you, Lord, and rejoice in goodness and faithfulness to me.
Thursday - Devotions on Hope
"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'" (Lamentations 3:21-24)
The author who wrote lamentations expressed grief and remorse over the fall of Jerusalem and the exile of the Israelites at the hands of the Babylonians. It was a sad, confusing, dark time for the Israelites. What's interesting to me in this verse is that the author was hopeful. How does the author keep hope? He does it by remembering.
Focusing on God's goodness, rather than the negative, in any situation you face, will help you have hope. When I get down or discouraged it's hard to bring to mind anything good. But, that's exactly what is needed. I recall all the years I yearned for a spouse. There were many lonely days. During those anguished times, although I cried often, I also had hope because I knew from the Word of God that He did not create man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). Hope settled softly on my heart and gave me strength to endure.
God is faithful and just. He loves each one of us deeply. Whatever trial you are facing today, go back to God's word. What does He say about your situation? Then, stand firm in those promises and hope in Him.
Lord,
Show me the scriptures I need to cling to today. I remind you, Lord, of how faithful you are, how your love for me endures forever and I'm so grateful. Give me the strength I need to overcome the trials in front of me. Thank you for fulfilling my hope.
Friday - Devotions on Hope.
"Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father's household." (Joshua 2:18)
When I looked up the Hebrew meaning of the word hope, I found one definition to mean, literally, a cord. The usage of this definition is found in the story of Rahab. Joshua had sent two spies to scout out the new land that the Israelites were about to enter and they went to stay at a prostitute, Rahab's house. The king of Jericho found out and sent men to retrieve the spies, but Rahab hid them on her roof.
Rahab had heard about the Israelites God and all that He had done for them. She knew that they were coming to seize their land. Fearful, she implored the spies to save her and her family in return for saving their lives. The men agreed, promising Rahab that if she were to hang the same scarlet cord (tiqvâh) from her window that the men climbed down with, they would save her and her family.
The cord stood as a symbol. Rahab had hope in the Israelites' promise and expected them to fulfill it. I think it's beautiful that the unseen force of hope was a visual reality for Rahab. Today, we can use God's word as our visual. What promise do you need fulfilled? I encourage you to find your answer in scripture and make it your reality of hope.
Lord, thank you for your stories that encourage us to have hope in your word. You are my strength and I choose to believe what your word says about me. Continue to lead and guide me everyday as I put my trust in you.
Blue Letter Bible, 'hope,' accessed March 4, 2024,
*The English Standard Version translation is used throughout this blog post.
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