Do things in your life seem impossible? Do you feel like you have lost all hope? I have been through seasons in my life that seemed impossible. Many nights I have sat alone and cried out to God seeking answers. I wish I could tell you that all of my prayers were answered overnight. I can’t!
Take, for example, Naomi. “In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man’s name is Elimeiek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. So Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah, and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.” Ruth 1. 1-5
Naomi lost her husband and then her sons. I could only imagine what she was going through. Her only hope was God. She tried sending her daughter-in-law’s away so they could go about their lives. However, Ruth stayed with Naomi. When I think about this story, I think about the love of God.
We do have hope. God is our one true hope! My favorite Scripture in the Bible is Jeremiah 29.11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
I hope that you will take a few minutes to listen to “I Will Rise” by Chris Tomlin. Be blessed!
How do we have faith in hard times? You may feel like the world is falling down around you. God never promised us we would never go through hard times. He did promise us that He would be with us always.
Take for example, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the book of Daniel. They would not worship the gold statue the King Nebuchadnezzar set up, so they were thrown into a fiery furnace. They had faith that God would take care of them. “Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn’t, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn’t serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up” (Daniel 3. 14-16). Wow, that took some faith. When the king checked on the three men in the furnace, he saw four. Can you imagine his shock to see that there were four men in the fiery furnace, and they were walking around freely?
We can be encouraged today that we are overcomers because Jesus Christ has overcome the world. So, keep the faith and do not fear. Keep your eyes on God and start your day off right by reading His word. “So, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41.10).
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heaves:” (Ecclesiastes 3: 1). We are nearing the end of the year. Now is the time when we are thinking about New Year’s Resolutions. I make a New Year’s Resolution every year. For example, one of which includes losing some weight. I can remember a time in my life when I could not gain weight but now it is quite the opposite. The main problem; I like food! I love sweets especially chocolate. I digress!
We make resolutions but do we follow through? We have great intentions and maybe we do follow through but is this really what we need to focus on?
One resolution that is definitely the most important one of all is to draw closer to God. How do we this? For one, I believe God calls us to stay in His word, which is a struggle when we live in a world full of distractions. I can tell you that the rewards are great! Another way to draw closer to God is to spend time in prayer. Prayer time does not have to be a time on our knees although that is not a bad idea, it can be a time when we say a prayer under our breath or a time in the morning where we say a quick prayer of thanksgiving. I don’t know about you, but I need to talk to God throughout the day. I cannot make it without Him.
Make God the main focus of your mind and heart in the New Year! Take a few minutes to listen to “King of My Heart” by Steffany Gretzinger.
