Have Hope: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11 NIV).

Are you in need of hope? When I was a little girl I use to watch Captain Kangaroo in the mornings before school. One time there was a puppet show and it went along with the song “High Hopes”. I can still see that rubber tree plant going down when the ant pushed it. The whole song was about if you have high hopes you can conquer any problems. It left an impression on me. Then I gave my life to Jesus and realized that there is another hope that is always there for Christians.

Sometimes life can weigh us down with sickness, debts, pain, or betrayal, to name a few, and it is easy to forget that our hope is in the Lord who can fill us with peace and joy even in the toughest moments. This verse should encourage you: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NIV).  What wonderful words!!! It is difficult to believe this if you are in the throes of an emotional storm. But trust me, because I have been there before, if you call on His name and pray, He will fill you with His peace and joy. It is such a wonderful feeling. The Holy Spirit is inside of you if you are a Christian and is able to do powerful things if you let it. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV). You have power inside of you that will help you through any trouble that you can encounter. Trust God and believe that He will help you. After all, we have an even greater hope to come: eternal life. There is nothing that can take that away from you. No matter what, keep believing and your head held high. Your hope is in the Lord who will never fail you and in the end will lead you to his heavenly kingdom. Have hope and believe. Your destiny is glorious.

Dear Lord,

Sometimes in life, things happen that can really weigh us down with despair. Help us always to remember that our hope is in you and that you alone can give us the joy and peace we require in our times of need.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen