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reasons for hope


The first month of a new year is almost gone.  We have a new president in office.  The Corona Virus continues to hold our attention as well as the impending doses of the vaccine will turn it all around.  Around us is still the confused, the struggle and more and more of the unknown. 


But that is not our God.  He is not that way.  In fact we know that the author of confusion is our enemy, Satan.  We know that our hope in our Savior, the encourager.  Who is it we are going to believe?


What we believe about God will color our view.  Literally hope gives us perspective.  Having hope that is based on something or someone bigger and stronger we will have much greater perspective.  We will be able to see further and last much longer in the world of chaos.


Hebrews 6:19  NLT

This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.


Here is a reminder.  Hope is strong.  Hope is anchor for us.  And we need an anchor that keeps us stranding.  Let’s continue to remember what God has told the people before and reminds us of as well.


Joshua 1:7  NLT

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.


Be strong and courageous.  That is not an easy thing to hear for someone who is in the middle of a trial or a storm or maybe a battle.  


Life is hard.  Life can be very difficult.  One person who knew that well was a young man named Joseph.  He was one of the twelve sons of Jacob that ended up being the beginning of the twelve tribes. 


After he had dreams that his family didn’t understand that led to his brother’s being jealous.  That led to being sold in to slavery.  That to him to Egypt, to serve Pharaoh and eventually end up in prison.  He was successful in all he was part of.  Everything.


Genesis 39:2-3  NLT

The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did.


When all the world is crumbling and I feel despair, God is working.  God will restore.  God will give us hope.  All we have to do is put our eyes back on Him and have a little faith.


God doesn’t allow our past to hamper our future.  The second chances, the grace and mercy, the plan of God is something new and fresh.  All we have to do is believe what God says.


Yes, times are tough.  Yes, there are many needs.  But who has what we need and who can help us through?  That would be God.  It is God that fills and leads us through everything we encounter.

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