Finding Hope

Yesterday Brian encouraged me with this verse,

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.

I wanted to grab hold of it, but I just couldn't think of any verses that really spoke to my heart. I mean I could think of them, but they just felt sort of lifeless. While the struggles with hopelessness have lightened up some, instead I just feel numb, it is still there.

I cried out to my Father for a word I could grab onto. A word that spoke right to my heart. No great revelations during my quiet time that morning, so I just sort of left it with Him.

As I listened to teaching tapes and scripture tapes a few words spoke to my heart. I found myself a little encouraged, yet not sure why. It dawned on me this morning that my Father had indeed spoken to my heart, given me the very words I was asking for.

. . . being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 1:6)

. . . weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
(Ps. 30:5)

I could have come up with those verses on my own, they are very familiar, but when the Lord speaks them to my heart they become alive!

I still feel sort of 'numb' with all that is going on, but how precious to have the Lord my God speak to my hopeless heart. I find myself crying out to Him so much. Crying for grace to withstand this onslaught, grace and strength for my husband, grace for the children as their world is turned upside down even more, grace for my Mom and her husband, as they have had the children a lot lately, comfort for the sorrow I feel as I feel like the "me" is being stripped, tested and purified, the sadness I feel when I see my children for only short minutes each day and miss being a Mama . . . I have been running to Him, for He is my Strong Tower, my Refuge, my Strength.

Maybe this is why . . .

"Then they will seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me."

(Hosea 5:15)


So today . . .

I will sing of Your mighty strength and power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy and loving-kindness in the morning; for You have been to me a defense (a fortress and a high tower) and a refuge in the day of my distress.

Unto You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my Defense, my Fortress, and High Tower, the God Who shows me mercy and steadfast love.

(Ps. 59:16-17)

Run to Him today! He is our only hope! When it feels like there is no hope, no end in sight, cry out to Him. He is so faithful to answer when we call. It might not 'feel' like there is hope, but there is. His word is true, we can believe it and walk by faith, which means you probably won't 'feel' it or even 'see' it, but this is what He asks of us, to walk by faith!!