A Time for Hope - Advent Devotions 2019
Monday, December 9 - Cheryl Guinther
Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Recently I listened to the hymn, My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less (ELW 596/597). We can sing verses 1 and 2, pretty much by heart, but what about verse 3? “His oath, his covenant, his blood sustain me (you!) in the raging flood; when all supports are washed away, he then is all my (your!) hope and stay.” (Amen.)
As I get older, I have plenty of memories of raging floods, and supports seemingly that had washed away overnight. (Also, wonderful ones of answered prayer in ways I could have never imagined.) Yet, he sustains us (me!) His oath and covenant are to be enough for us (me!) in the midst of the raging storm(s) of life.
I’m so thankful for “hope” as our (physical and mental) hearts get sick without it. We are restored, strengthened, renewed when longings are fulfilled “as a tree of life.”
So what does one do in the storms, as you know they will come as surely as the next significant weather event. How do we prepare ourselves, our homes for physical storms? We should also prepare ourselves for spiritual storms. Spending time with Jesus, reading the Bible, picking up one of the various devotionals from the foyer, praying, and regular church attendance. We weren’t created to “go it alone.” Although there is vulnerability living in church families, sharing your hopes, dreams, and areas where prayer is needed is key to good health (physical and mental) and keeping evil at bay.
Father, in the strong name of Jesus, I ask for you to keep me steady in the storms of life so that I will come out the other side stronger, more effective for your kingdom and to be able to give you the glory and honor as I tell others of your love, mercy, and what you did for me. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Recently I listened to the hymn, My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less (ELW 596/597). We can sing verses 1 and 2, pretty much by heart, but what about verse 3? “His oath, his covenant, his blood sustain me (you!) in the raging flood; when all supports are washed away, he then is all my (your!) hope and stay.” (Amen.)
As I get older, I have plenty of memories of raging floods, and supports seemingly that had washed away overnight. (Also, wonderful ones of answered prayer in ways I could have never imagined.) Yet, he sustains us (me!) His oath and covenant are to be enough for us (me!) in the midst of the raging storm(s) of life.
I’m so thankful for “hope” as our (physical and mental) hearts get sick without it. We are restored, strengthened, renewed when longings are fulfilled “as a tree of life.”
So what does one do in the storms, as you know they will come as surely as the next significant weather event. How do we prepare ourselves, our homes for physical storms? We should also prepare ourselves for spiritual storms. Spending time with Jesus, reading the Bible, picking up one of the various devotionals from the foyer, praying, and regular church attendance. We weren’t created to “go it alone.” Although there is vulnerability living in church families, sharing your hopes, dreams, and areas where prayer is needed is key to good health (physical and mental) and keeping evil at bay.
Father, in the strong name of Jesus, I ask for you to keep me steady in the storms of life so that I will come out the other side stronger, more effective for your kingdom and to be able to give you the glory and honor as I tell others of your love, mercy, and what you did for me. In Jesus’s name. Amen.