Faith to Hope - Chapter 4

Chapter four

Faith to Hope

But by faith
we eagerly await
through the
Spirit
the righteousness
for which we
hope.

Galatians 5:5

Even after decades of walking with Jesus, I stand amazed at God’s perfect timing. As I look back through the years and recall days that were darker than a moonless sky, I am reminded of the powerful presence of God in each situation. At times, I did not recognize the Hand of God until long after my emotional healing began. At other times, I knew immediately that God’s grace had powerfully prepared me to face my situation head on.

This morning I am once again profoundly aware of God’s perfect timing. After another restless night pondering the news of a loved one’s medical diagnosis, and as hopelessness tried to creep into my mind and my heart, I picked up the daily devotional book that I have read faithfully over the past ten years—Streams in the Desert.

Today’s entry begins “There are times when everything looks very dark to me—so dark that I have to wait before I have hope. Waiting with hope is very difficult, but true patience is expressed when we must even wait for hope.” – George Matheson

So, there it is. In faith, you and I must wait for hope. Until hope comes, you must have faith; belief, conviction, confidence in God and reliance and dependence on God. You must remember that just behind the dark clouds of fear is the sunshine of God’s love. You and I must believe the invisible in spite of the visible. We must practice what we often preach to others. Trust God!

Therefore, until hope comes, pray to our Heavenly Father for strength to stand firm in faith and wait for hope. Remind Him of what He already knows—You are weak. Cling to what you already know—He is strong!

I am aware of many facing a similar dilemma. You may be sitting beside your loved one in a hospital room or at home with the help of Hospice. Your income may have dried up but your creditors don’t care. Your child may have lost his way, and you are not sure that it will be only temporary. You may be feeling the weight of hopelessness bending your shoulders toward the ground.

I have good news! You are not alone while you wait in faith for your hope to be restored.

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

In faith, hope on sweet friends!

Hope for Daily Living

Hebrews 11:1 says “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Do you have that confidence in God? Explain

Read Hebrews 10:23. The original language for hold, or hold fast in some translations, means to keep in memory or retain the hope we profess. Do you believe God is faithful to fulfill His promises to His children? Do you remember a time when God intervened in your situation? Write it here.

Read Psalm 86:6-7. Do you, like David, believe God will hear and answer you when you call upon His Name? Why?

Are you willing to stand in faith and wait for hope? Explain.

Heavenly Father,

Life sometimes gets too hard to bear. When that happens, it is easy to lose my way—to forget you have promised to never leave me or forsake me. Forgive me Lord when I fail to wait in faith for hope. Remember, I am human and in the darkness I forget. In the midst of the pain and heartache, I grow anxious and afraid. In spite of all I know about you, I sometimes step into the trap satan has set for me. Lord, when I am dismayed, strengthen me. When I fall, pick me up. When I am afraid, give me courage. And when I am ashamed, remind me there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Only in You, and through You, and by You do I have the faith to hope. Thank you for loving me. I pray in the precious Name of Jesus. Amen.

© Joyce Powell