It was once said of Israel, “Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers” (Isaiah 1:7). Does this sound like what is going on all over the world today? It is certainly happening in America where I live. During the COVID pandemic people have lost jobs, homes, health or wealth. Others have lost everything due to storms or fires. People feel helpless and hopeless. Homicides and suicides are on the rise.
Where do you turn in tough times? My favorite Scripture verse for times like these is, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains–where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2). Yesterday I read a quote on Facebook that said, “Pray without ceasing because the devil preys without ceasing.” This is based on 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing,” and from Job 1:7 when the Lord asked Satan where he came from. Satan responded, “From going to and fro on the earth and from walking up and down on it.”
THINK ABOUT IT
We need supernatural hope for these days, but how do we find it? Isaiah 1:16-17 says, “Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” Doing right and helping others is a good way to get your eyes off your situation and on to serving the needs of our communities. But on our own, we could never do enough good or right things to give us hope. We need to come before our Lord and Savior who gives us forgiveness and eternal life as we seek His help.
When I was a girl, I learned to love a song that said,”My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.”
PRAY ABOUT IT
O Lord and Savior Jesus, help us to find our hope in you and trust you with all that goes on in our lives. Many are sick and suffering, Lord. They need your healing touch and comfort. Many have unimaginable loss. Enter in, Lord, and help us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tell Me the Story 