Words of Hope
/The young woman, a Christ-follower, talked with the reporter after having lost every earthly possession in the recent flooding. Despite the devastation, she expressed her faith and hope in Jesus. I marvel even now when I remember her countenance.
Today, as I think of her and as I sit in the comfort of my office, I am not immune to the pain of others. This past week alone, I have prayed hard for so many family members and friends who are struggling and in need of a fresh wave of hope. In the news, I’ve seen the loss brought about by the hurricane and subsequent flooding. In addition, I’ve encountered hurting people at coffee shops, diners, and grocery stores, to name a few.
During times like these, when I am at a loss as to what to say and how to help, all I have to offer is what has always helped me.
When I am struggling to keep on keeping on, I turn to the Bible. There I find hope.
Today, I’m sharing with you verses that have helped me when I’ve lost my hope..
Twenty Verses for Finding Hope:
I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill. - Psalms 3:4
When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. - Psalm 34:17
…call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. - Psalms 50:15
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. - Proverbs 3:5-6
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near - Isaiah 55:6
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation - Psalms 42:5
I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me! - Psalms 146:5-6
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever - Psalms 66:17-20
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them - Acts 16:25
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. - Ephesians 3:20-21
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. - 2 Corinthians 9:8
He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. - 2 Corinthians 1:10
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son - Colossians 1:13
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. - Hebrews 6:19-20
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. - James 1:12
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. - James 1:2-4
It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. - Psalms 119:71-72
I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. - Psalms 119:75-76
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. - Romans 5:2-5
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:28
Always remember: With Jesus hope always springs eternal.