August 2006 Devotional

These past few days have been very difficult for BCC.  Change is never easy, especially when hearts and lives are so deeply involved.  It’s normal for us to feel sad, angry, confused, frustrated, empty, and resentful – and question what the right next step should be.

During this sometimes overwhelming blend of emotions, the best thing we can do is be on our knees – for everyone touched by this situation and those in our community who may also be perplexed.  But we should not lose hope for the future.

Women of Hope was carefully named to reflect the beacon of light that illuminates our pathways through the rocky and unpredictable events of life.  In the Bible, and in God’s economy, hope is more than wishful thinking.  It is the complete and solid belief that what God promises, God will deliver on.

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen.”  As Christians, we live by faith in a relationship with God.  Our faith confirms our belief that Jesus Christ lived, died, and that the payment he made for our sins on a wooden cross is forever life-changing.  We live by faith knowing that heaven is a reality and we will enjoy living there eternally with God because of this gift.  And, our faith in God’s word tells us that we can count on all of these things for sure and know it down to our toes, because God has said it.

All well and good, but what about when the bottom falls out of our world?  What good is faith then?  Hope is what fuels our faith and keeps it alive.  But God’s definition of hope is much different than the one we use today.  Example:  I might hope (desire and wish) that when I get home that the house has miraculously cleaned itself, but unfortunately that human hope would be in vain.  In other words, it would be pretty hopeless to hope for such a thing.  But I can hope (know for sure and cling to this belief) that God is on my side.  That hope is grounded in scripture and in the very character of God himself.  That’s real hope, God-style – a determined belief that what God says, goes. 

No matter what life dishes out, we have some great things to hang our hopes on.  Check out this quick sampling of what the Bible says we can trust in – and take some time to look up the verses and meditate on them:

God is our protector and provider.  When we feel empty, he is the one who can fill us.  (Psalm 91:4; John 6:51; John 4:13-14)

God is a source of comfort and guidance.  When we don’t know where to turn, he will make a path through the uncertainty we sometimes face. (Psalm 94:19; Psalm 73:23-24); Psalm 119:105)

God’s ways are not completely understandable, yet he is not a God of confusion, but a God of peace.   (Psalm 55:9; 1 Corinthians 14:33)

God is in control.  No one can stop his plan or screw it up.  (Isaiah 14:27; Job 42:1)

God has started a good thing and won’t stop until he finishes it.  That includes what he’s doing in your and my life, as well as in the life of BCC.  (Philippians 1:6; Isaiah 46:11)

God is orchestrating all the things in life to work together toward a good purpose – like individual threads in a fabric making one grand tapestry. (Romans 8:28; Ephesians 2:10)

So when you feel puzzled about the puzzle of life, know that God has it all figured out and it all fits together and is a part of his plan.  Sometimes that’s hard to understand.  Sometimes it seems impossible to comprehend.  Yet we choose to believe that it’s true because we have a hope in a God that is good, powerful, loving, and really smart.  And we don’t just wish for these good things, we hope for and cling to them with sure faith.

So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Love,

Lisa Kinakin