Devotion: Where to Find Hope

 The Bible in One Year: Ecclesiastes 4-6/2 Corinthians 5:12

Today’s Reading: Romans 5:1-11 – And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through that Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. ~Romans 5:5

Where to Find Hope

Elizabeth struggled for a long time with drug addiction, and when she recovered wanted to help others in return. So she started writing notes and anonymously placing them throughout her city. Elizabeth tucks these notes under car windshield wipers and ack them on poles in parks. She used to look for signs of hope; now she leaves them for others to find. One of her notes concluded with these words: “Much love. Hope sent.”

Hope with love—that’s what Jesus gives. He brings us His love with each new day and strengthens us with that hope. His love is not rationed out to us drop by drop but flows out of His heart freely and is poured lavishly into ours: “We know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love” (Romans 5:5 NLT). He desires to use the hard times to develop perseverance and character and bring us a satisfying, hope-filled life (vv. 3-4). And even when we’re far from Him He still loves us (vv. 6-8).

Are you looking for signs of hope? The Lord gives hope with love through inviting us to grow in a relationship with Him. Our hope for a fulfilling life is anchored in His unfailing love. ~Anne Cetas

 I’m grateful, God, for the love You lavishly pour on me. Please bring me contentment in You and confidence in what You are doing in me.

Read Hope: Choosing Faith Instead of Fear at discoveryseries.org/q7033.

Hope is the anchor of the soul.

When Your Faith Needs Stirring

Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. ~Hebrews 13:12