Day 7: Standing on the promises
“But as a mountain erodes and crumbles and as a rock is moved from its place, as water wears away stones and torrents wash away the soil, so You destroy a person’s hope” (Job 14:18-19).
Our Father in heaven, in You alone we find hope, for You alone are God our Savior, hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas (Psalm 65:5). Apart from You our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope (1 Chronicles 29:15).
But because of You we are rescued from the sin, destruction, and death that enshroud this fallen world. We remember the words of the psalmist, You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; You spared me from going down to the pit (Psalm 30:3) — and the words of the apostle, Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... (1 Peter 1:3).
Lord, although You have given us Your precious and proven promises— Your unfailing word— we still face an enemy who constantly assails us with the "howling storms of doubt and fear," until our hope is destroyed and our hearts are confused.
We forget that You have shown us that the pain and suffering of this world are the result of human rebellion against God (Genesis 3). We forget that You sent Your Son to redeem the world, and that in hope we eagerly wait with patience (perseverance) for the appointed time of Your full restoration (Romans 8:19-25). We forget that You have told us that everything... written in the past was... to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope (Romans 15:4).
As we face the difficulties and hardships of this life, deliver us from the confusion, the bitterness of spirit, and the wrong beliefs about God that cause us to think that You destroy a person's hope (Job 14:19). Show us that You are, in fact, the hope, the anchor for our souls (Hebrews 6:19).
When the enemy of our soul comes in like a flood, intent on eroding our trust, wearing down our endurance, and washing away our faith, remind us that the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him (Isaiah 59:19). Keep us grounded on the Rock that cannot move so that our hope will not crumble.
May we be examples to those who have no hope. Help us to always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks [us] to give the reason for the hope that [we] have… with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).
Let those around us see by our lives that we have put our hope— for both the present life and the life to come— in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe (1 Timothy 4:8-10). Let them see us standing firm on Your promises.
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