For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. – Romans 15:4 (NKJV)
Key points:
- The encouragement to us, when our hope is fading, is to dig into the scripture.
- Remember God’s faithfulness and goodness.
- Listen to this episode of Real Hope in the player above or wherever you get your podcasts.
I recently asked my close friendship group about what they personally see as the difference between hope, faith and trust.
It was interesting to see different thoughts – some based on experience, some based on deep biblical study, some based on Star Wars.
What was clear and consistent, though, is that hope, faith and trust are all placed somewhere.
When looking specifically at hope, Romans 15:4 is so interesting to pull out and look at all on its own.
The encouragement to us, when our hope is fading, is to dig into the scripture.
What Paul offers in this verse is that we can have a confident hope by seeing what God has done, time and time again, as revealed throughout the unchanging scriptures.
I love that it’s partnered with the word ‘endurance’.
What we read throughout scripture provides the encouragement we need to keep going – to endure, trusting that God is at work and will work all things together for good.
Remember God’s faithfulness and goodness.
In a sense, the encouragement to us, when our hope is fading, is to dig into the scripture.
Look for God.
See what He’s done.
Remember His faithfulness and goodness.
As we mature in life and in our relationship with God, we begin to build our own stories.
We can see that God has shown up time and time again, faithfully bringing goodness into seemingly hopeless situations.
Listen to this episode of Real Hope in the player above or wherever you get your podcasts.
Despite that and unexpectedly, hopelessness can still take root. We are human after all.
This is why the sure and steadfast, unchanging Word of God is such a faithful source of true, lasting hope.
Listen to this episode of Real Hope | The Podcast in the player above or wherever you get your podcasts.
Subscribe to the YouVersion plan or listen to Real Hope | The Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
Feature image: Photo by CanvaPro
Devotion written by Susie Holt (originally published as ‘Sure in Steadfast Love’ on 13 September 2023).
Feature image: CanvaPro
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