Hope…

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

In life it’s easy to grow weary, to become tired, and to come to a place where giving up seems like the best option. During these times it is important to remember that God is there and He is willing to meet you right where you are at in your life. The Bible says that you should hope in the Lord and put your trust in Him. The Bible teaches that there will be trying events and persecution that will arise in each person’s life. The good news is; there is a God that loves you, and gives you a promise in His word that He will be there for you and see you through the stumbling blocks and challenges that arise in your life. There is a wonderful example of God’s faithfulness shown in 1 Samuel 17:48-51 (NIV). It says;

“As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the scabbard. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.”

The scriptures say that at the time David killed Goliath (the Philistine) he was a youth, and not considered a valiant warrior, but was a shepherd boy who tended to the sheep and praised and loved God continually. Goliath, on the other hand, was considered a mighty warrior, and one that many thought could never be defeated. He was an extremely large man, and regarded as a giant. Knowing this, David still chose to fight Goliath. David was a man after God’s own heart. He loved God and trusted in Him. He leaned upon Him, putting his hope in Him, knowing that the Lord his God would supply all of his needs and be there for him in his most desperate and critical hour. When David faced Goliath, he knew that the Lord would be standing with him and be there to fight the battle on his behalf. Because of this, David was able to go beyond his own strength and ability. By putting his trust and future in the Lord’s hands and believing that God was enough, he was able to defeat the giant and garner a victory for his nation. It was through this trial that God tested David’s heart, and looked to see if David would trust in Him and put his hope in Him. He indeed proved to be a faithful and trustworthy servant of God. David went on to become a mighty warrior and later became a great king.

Every trial, tribulation, and persecution you walk through in life is a testing ground. It is an opportunity to show yourself faithful to the Lord no matter what you might be faced with. The Bible shares that God looks for a faithful servant, one that will trust in Him and one that will lean upon Him. One that will stand up for what is good and what is right; one that will prove to be a mighty warrior, even in the midst of the most trying circumstances.

Today, you may be facing your own “giant.” It may be in the form of the many challenges and obstacles you are facing in life. You might be thinking that there is no possible way that you can overcome, but you can! God is with you. He loves you and with His assistance you can take down every “giant” in your life. There is nothing that is too big or impossible for God. The Bible says; “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NIV)

I encourage you to trust and hope in the Lord this day. I encourage you to walk with God and to lean upon Him in every regard. I encourage you to give Him your life completely and to believe that He can and will supply all of your needs. He will fight every one of your battles; and He will renew your strength.

You can start by praying this prayer aloud to Him;

Dear Lord Jesus,

I ask that You would forgive me of my sins and wash me clean with Your blood. I give You my life; and I commit my life’s path to You. I put my hope in You; and I place my trust in You Lord. I ask that You would give me new strength this day and help me to mount up with wings as eagles. I know that as I place my trust and hope in You, I will run and not grow weary. I will walk and not be faint. I thank You for all these things.

In Jesus Mighty Name I Pray,

Amen