May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Rom. 15:13 (ESV)
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isa. 41:10 (ESV)
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Heb. 6:19 (NIV)
Heavenly Father, we begin this Friday so grateful for your Word, and the tapestry of these verses. As we meditate on and pray our way through these Scriptures, we’re deeply grateful you chose to reveal yourself to us with understandable and timely words. Though we don’t worship the Bible, we know, love, and trust you because the Bible is true.
Today, in particular, we’re thankful to worship you as the God of hope. In a world of predictable unpredictability’s and unsettling circumstances, and broken people, places, and things, it is a source of immeasurable joy and peace to know that you love us, and are in control of everything… everything.
We don’t have to be afraid or be dismayed by anything or anyone, for your righteous right hand has a firm hold on us, and your grip is the grip of grace. Knowing you are with us and for us, brings calm into our chaos, rest into our wrestling, and joy into our pain. You loved us so much you gave your one and only Son, so that, instead of perishing, we would have eternal life. Father, thank you that the gospel is true, and that you really do love us as much as you say you do. There is NO greater hope. Hallelujah!
So we enter this day and weekend, grateful to have hope as our sure anchor. No matter the size of the waves, the strength of the wind, or how distant the shoreline… we will trust you. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ holy and loving name.