Monday July 31, 2023

Today is Monday, July 31 and we are studying what the Bible says about hope.

I quiet my busy mind and center myself on the presence of the God who loves me. As I slow my breathing, I inhale God’s goodness and peace and exhale negative thoughts, worries or concerns.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, you are Lord of my life and King of my day. In all things, I place my hope in you. Walk with me on this pilgrim journey, remind me of your presence, strengthen my steps and encourage my heart. Amen.

I praise God and rejoice with the words of Psalm 130, a Psalm of Ascent.

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Psalm 130:5-6

Pause and Pray

We have been journeying to Jerusalem along with the ancient pilgrims singing the Psalms of Ascent. We are nearing the end of our journey traveling this ascending path with a community of believers. This week’s Psalm is Psalm 130, a song of hope. It is an anguished prayer that cries out to God from the depths of despair. This prayer gives me words for times of fear, suffering, loss, disappointment, frustration and pain. It reminds the pilgrim to turn to God in difficult times and not to the things of this world.

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. Psalm 130:1-8

Christians hope differently than the rest of the world hopes. Believers have a God who cares, listens and acts. I have somewhere to place my hope. The Bible promises God’s mercy and forgiveness for my sin because of Jesus Christ. I find steadfast love in the presence of God and full redemption for my soul. Psalm 130 provides a remedy for every ailment life brings and sums it up in two words – wait and watch. Waiting and watching adds up to “hope.” When I hope in God, it doesn’t mean I do nothing. I continue to work in the situation knowing that the powerful God who loves me is working alongside me for my good.

Ask: When I consider a current problem or concern, am I praying, waiting and watching for God to act? Do I have hope?

Pause and Pray

Holy and blessed Lord, hear my prayer. I bow down in reverence and worship you. Have mercy on me, a sinner. Forgive my transgressions in the name of Jesus Christ. Redeem my soul and envelope me in your steadfast love. In my current circumstances, I turn to you. I place my hope in you. I wait and watch for you. I know you will show up as much as I know the sun will rise in the morning and brighten the dark sky. I read the words from Psalm 130 again and listen for the message you have for me.

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. Psalm 130:1-8

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

As I ruminate on this passage of scripture, I consider the words that strike me today. I consider the “depths” from which I cry out to God – maybe it is loneliness, pain, fear, or grief. Perhaps I am stuck in the doldrums or subject to negativity. I examine myself and recall my sins and trespasses. What do I need to confess and where do I need God’s forgiveness? I list my concerns and challenges. What have I placed before God and enlisted help in prayer? I consider the posture of waiting and watching. Hoping. Maybe God wants me to hope in him.

Pause and Pray

Loving God, show me what it means to hope in you. Reveal the places where I have placed my trust in the things of this world and have doubted your power and grace. Remind me to hope differently than the world hopes. Grow the fruit of hope in the depths of my soul. Amen.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

I leave this time of prayer with increased hope. I go to inspire hope in others.

Amen