God's Gift of Hope

The world may present evidence to the contrary that hope is nothing more than a dream or a fantasy. But without hope, things like anguish and dejection become overwhelming and permanent. Jesus is the hope of the world. Christ walked here and walks here still. He still heals and he still saves us from the world, from others, and from ourselves.

God Says 

And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. –Psalm 39:7

Something to Think About 

Where do you put your hope? Do you put it in perceived security? In your own energy and resources? In other people? None of these are bad. But, eventually we all will fail. And, ultimately we all will fail. God is our true and ultimate source of hope. 

I place no hope in my strength, nor in my works: but all my confidence is in God my protector, who never abandons those who have put all their hope and thought in Him.
 -Francois Rabelais 

Individual or Family Activity 

Write a short letter to God. Thank God for being your hope. Share with God some of your hopes. 

Individual or Family Prayer – A Prayer for Hope 

Dear God, 

Faith is waiting and waiting is faith. 

I wait impatiently and I wait patiently. 

Like a pregnant woman waiting for new birth 

Like a captive waiting for freedom 

I hope and my hope is in you 

I have faith my present struggles are not permanent 

I have faith your vision for my tomorrow is better than my present reality 

I have faith my struggles today will make me stronger tomorrow 

Like a person lost at night unable to see a faint flicker of light
I keep stumbling through the night because I believe
Somewhere and sometime the morning will come 

Help me be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Help me trust in You that I will find new strength
I will soar high like an eagle
I will run and not grow weary. 

Let me know you are with me as I faithfully wait with hope. 

Amen.