Deuteronomy 30:11-14
The word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. -Deuteronomy 30:14 (NIV)
I have the habit of thinking that hope is in a remote place rather than where the Lord has put me. When my current situation feels hopeless, I think that maybe I’ll find hope somewhere in a more beautiful place. But even then, if I go searching, I may not grasp hope.
However, we are assured that we don’t need to go searching far and wide for the hope that God freely offers us. In the midst of trials, when we feel there is no hope anywhere, we can read the Bible and talk with God. I often take some time to go to a private, quiet place where I close my eyes, recall some scripture, and offer a prayer. God is near to me in those moments, giving me hope and promising me a bright future. As God’s servants, there is always hope when we store scripture in our hearts.
Prayer: God whom we love, we thank you for time to open the Bible and talk to you. When we are in situations that feel hopeless, help us to remember that you are with us as we pray, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” (Lk. 11:2-4, KJV). Amen.
Thought for the day: There is always hope in the Lord!
Riko Suzuki (Kanagawa, Japan)
