Our True Hope
Life can be difficult sometimes. All of us go through seasons filled with difficulty, grief, or loss. And even if you haven’t experienced those things yet, you’ve probably had moments where you’ve grown tired of doing good. As much as we want to live well and do good to others, the truth is that we will all grow weary of it at some point.
In Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah says that those who hope in God will find renewed strength. The key to perseverance in difficult seasons is not simply pushing through and trying harder. Strength isn’t found in simply hoping our circumstances will change.
God’s Word says that true strength comes from placing our hope in God. Because God is all-powerful, He alone has the power to change our circumstances. But God also knows that as humans, we grow weary and restless. We often place our hope in temporary solutions when we should be relying on God, who can truly help us.
But when we place our hope in God alone, Scripture tells us we will find renewed strength to endure life’s challenges. Hoping in God means trusting in His promises—even if we don’t see them fulfilled in our lifetime.
During this season of Advent and time of reflection, how can you allow the Lord to renew your hope in God? Allow Him to search your heart. Pray that you will be filled with the strength and hope that only God can provide.
Beauty that Lasts
In God’s infinite wisdom and creativity, He has crafted magnificent things: watercolor sunsets, awe-inspiring mountains, turquoise oceans, and beautiful people.
Proverbs 31 is a well-known chapter in the Bible about a God-fearing, hard-working, generosity-driven woman.
Interestingly, Proverbs 31 was written by a man—specifically, King Lemuel, although it’s technically advice from his mother that he shared when he was king.
Something that’s not obvious in non-Hebrew languages is that verses 10-31 actually make up an acrostic poem—each verse beginning with one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, successively working their way from aleph to tau (from beginning to end).
Toward the climax of the poem, the author writes:
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
Proverbs 31:30 NIV
Deep down we know this to be true, don’t we?
No matter how charming or beautiful a woman...