On January 17, 2023, in a devotional “How Affliction Builds Strong Hope,” we discussed how God has given us hope in Himself; and how hope in Him NEVER disappoints us. Hope is critical. We all need it. It is the reason we will do just about anything we do. Think about your motivation for today’s plans. Isn’t most of what you plan because of a RESULT you hope to attain? What is that result—more money, better things, more acceptance or security?
My friend, God created us to have hope that is never disappointed! The Bible teaches us we were created for God’s glory. Much like a painting is the work of the artist; we are the workmanship of God. Thus, when His glory is the greatest motivation for all we do, our trials, rather than crushing us, become a showcase of His magnificence. Our hope in God builds the habit of promptly turning over our problems to Him. When glorifying GOD becomes the greatest motivation for all we do, we discover that HE is the ONLY hope that NEVER disappoints us.
When we face obstacles we can’t handle and train ourselves to give each situation to God, we develop CHARACTER through our experience of trusting God 100%.
You see, our “character” is manifested in the way we conduct ourselves. Our deepest character traits are revealed in tough times. What do you think is mankind’s most collective character flaw? It happened in the Garden of Eden when Eve decided to eat the fruit because she wanted to live independently from God. Self-reliance or living independently from God is arguably our greatest character flaw. It is proof that we are hoping in something or someone other than God. When we develop the habit of trusting someone or something LESS than God; we live in disappointment.
In a culture which has rejected the God of the Bible is it any wonder that anxiety, depression and suicide are skyrocketing???
But the Bible teaches us HOW to have remarkably unshaken hope!!!
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also GLORY in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope [in Christ] does NOT disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Romans 5:1-5
When we are born again, Paul writes the “love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” Thus, we have the primary tool we need in order to exercise hope in God; that is, we have an unbreakable relationship with Him. What a gift!!! Ah, my friend, if you have received God’s gift of salvation you have ALL you need to enable you to place your hope in God. Jesus lives in you! Today, draw close to Him and you will know you CAN entrust each problem—big or small—into His hands. Day by day as you trust Him, your hope in Him will grow.
As we learn to persevere in trials by giving each one to God, we build character that reflects our absolute hope in Him—He will NEVER disappoint!
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
To learn more about Kimberly Faith and the mission of Faith Strong, click HERE.
Out Now – Essential Faith, Volume II. Find it on Amazon by clicking HERE.
To learn more about Kimberly Faith’s ministry Fostering By Faith, click HERE.
4 Responses
Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I thank Jesus for His blood sacrifice and for His stripes He took for me for my healing. I thank Him daily and I believe every day will be a blessed one for Jesus is with me whatever is going on in my life.
Absolutely! Have a blessed day.
Amen my hope is s build on nothing less than Jesus blood and rightousness
Amen!!!