Tuesday August 1, 2023

Today is Tuesday, August 1 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.

In the morning, I rejoice in God’s goodness and praise his name with the words of Psalm 52.

I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good. Psalm 52:8b-9

Pause and Pray

Christians are a people of hope. Hope is a key theme throughout the entire Bible. Immediately after the Fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden, God offers hope, promising to send someone who will crush Satan (Genesis 3:15). Throughout the Old Testament God continues to offer hope to his people and promises a deliverer will come. The New Testament reveals these promises are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is the hope of the world. God wants me to know that he is faithful and trustworthy and I can place my complete hope in him.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31

As I read these words from the prophet Isaiah, I am reminded of what I know about God. He is the Creator of the universe. He is almighty, all powerful and eternal. His ways are beyond my comprehension and his wisdom exceeds my understanding. He does not grow tired and weary like humans do. When I grow tired and weary with the worries and concerns of this life, he gives me his strength and power. When I stumble and fall, he keeps me steady and helps me run. When I hope in God, my strength is renewed.

Ask: In what places in my life am I tired or weary? Where do I place my hope?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, you are holy and everlasting, you are God. You created all things in this world including me. Your knowledge and understanding is beyond my comprehension. You do not grow tired or weary, instead you give strength to the weary and power to the weak. I place my hope in you! Strengthen my steps so I do not stumble, let me soar on eagle’s wings and run with perseverance. I read the words from Isaiah again and listen for the message you have for me.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31

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

I consider the words that strike me most this morning and what they might indicate about the current state of my soul. Words like tired, weary, stumble, fall, and faint. Or words like hope, renew, strength, power, soar, run, and walk. Maybe God wants me to realize I am trying to handle something on my own relying on my limited knowledge and power. Perhaps God wants to strengthen, lead or guide me in a certain circumstance or relationship. Maybe I need to remember the power, might and goodness of the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, and shine your spotlight on the recesses of my soul. Reveal the places of doubt, fear and self-reliance. Show me my weaknesses and awaken my tiredness. Strengthen my spiritual legs and motivate me to get up and walk this journey and run this race. I place my complete hope in you. Amen.

But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. Psalm 39:7

I leave this time of prayer placing my hope in the Lord my God. I go to love and serve those in this world who are without hope.

Amen