by Ann Elaine Broughton

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 43:5 NIV).

Do you need hope right now? Is your soul downcast? Hope in God.

The Bible is filled with men and women who displayed hope in difficult times. That is why it is so important to read the Old and New Testaments. It is filled with hope. I am going to give you a few examples.

First, Abraham was told by God that a great nation was to come from him. Abraham and his wife had hope that God would give them a child. They had to wait 25 years before their son, Isaac, would be born.

Joseph had to wait in prison for several years before he was freed. He had hope that God would be with him and He was. “But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison..” (Genesis 39:20-22 NIV). When he was freed Pharaoh put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Joseph’s hope in God helped him through a very bad trial, and in the end Joseph was blessed.

Mary and Martha had hope that Jesus could raise Lazarus from the dead. They believed in Him and knew He could do anything. Martha said, “But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask”

(John 11:21 NIV). Jesus proceeded to raise Lazarus from the dead to prove that He indeed is the resurrection and the life. Do you have this hope?

You see we are to believe that nothing is impossible with God and have hope that He will be there for us in every circumstance of our lives. He will always be there for you if you call upon Him to help you.

I think it would be wise to memorize this verse and have hope in the future. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NIV).

Dear Lord,

Give us hope that you will be with us, even in the dark times. We know that you are in control and we must surrender everything over to you and have faith that you know what is best for us. Thank you for the peace only you can give.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen