21DOP: Day 12
Day 12: What is the role of “hope” in my faith journey?
Is there ever a time when it’s OK to give up hoping? At times, we pray for prayer requests, and God does NOT answer the way we want or expect. Deep inside, we have desires and heart cries that often seem to fall on deaf ears. Two sisters probably felt the same way. John 11 tells us the story of Jesus’ friend, Lazarus, who became very ill. His sisters, Martha and Mary, sent for Jesus. In verse 3, their message was, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” They loved and knew Jesus, and they knew he was a healer. Their hope was that Jesus would come and heal Lazarus. Instead, Jesus delayed His visit, and the worst possible outcome prevailed. Lazarus died. In lieu of a miraculous healing, their prayer was answered in the form of comfort and compassion. Jesus then said something to teach them that hope does not die…with even the worst outcome. Verse 25: “Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’” In other words, what she thought was a “done deal” Jesus used as an opportunity to show that hope can be ongoing, even past a devastating result! Jesus raised Lazarus after four days, and all who witnessed this had the opportunity to put their hope in Jesus, no matter what! He can bring hope when all hope is gone. There’s always that next step, that next opportunity, that next horizon!
Likewise, in Lamentations, the author describes himself as being “deprived of peace, afflicted, downcast, and trampled in the dust.” Verses 20-24 show an ongoing hope, despite what he has experienced: “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.”
Where have you given up hope? (In case you were wondering, we’ve all been there!)
Which of the above verses can you cling to as you resurrect your hope because of your foundation in Jesus?
Prayer: “Dear Lord, let my faith foundation be marked by you, Our Living Hope. As you resurrected Lazarus, after his death, I pray you resurrect my hope, for it feels dead and final. If you are the Resurrection and the Life, I can always put my hope in you! In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”
Is there ever a time when it’s OK to give up hoping? At times, we pray for prayer requests, and God does NOT answer the way we want or expect. Deep inside, we have desires and heart cries that often seem to fall on deaf ears. Two sisters probably felt the same way. John 11 tells us the story of Jesus’ friend, Lazarus, who became very ill. His sisters, Martha and Mary, sent for Jesus. In verse 3, their message was, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” They loved and knew Jesus, and they knew he was a healer. Their hope was that Jesus would come and heal Lazarus. Instead, Jesus delayed His visit, and the worst possible outcome prevailed. Lazarus died. In lieu of a miraculous healing, their prayer was answered in the form of comfort and compassion. Jesus then said something to teach them that hope does not die…with even the worst outcome. Verse 25: “Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’” In other words, what she thought was a “done deal” Jesus used as an opportunity to show that hope can be ongoing, even past a devastating result! Jesus raised Lazarus after four days, and all who witnessed this had the opportunity to put their hope in Jesus, no matter what! He can bring hope when all hope is gone. There’s always that next step, that next opportunity, that next horizon!
Likewise, in Lamentations, the author describes himself as being “deprived of peace, afflicted, downcast, and trampled in the dust.” Verses 20-24 show an ongoing hope, despite what he has experienced: “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.”
Where have you given up hope? (In case you were wondering, we’ve all been there!)
Which of the above verses can you cling to as you resurrect your hope because of your foundation in Jesus?
Prayer: “Dear Lord, let my faith foundation be marked by you, Our Living Hope. As you resurrected Lazarus, after his death, I pray you resurrect my hope, for it feels dead and final. If you are the Resurrection and the Life, I can always put my hope in you! In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”
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