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The fifth day of Christmas – hope!
I woke up this morning with hope on my heart. I hope everyone involved in the Christmas program at church tonight stays healthy so nothing prevents this production of the true message of Christmas. I hope there are no accidents with all the miles traveled today. I hope any families who are getting together have loving conversation and no conflict. I hope the music I hear is uplifting and reminds me of where real joy comes from. I hope the instruction I hear from teachers of God’s word sink deep inside so I live them outside through the week. I hope the families and loved ones of the tragedy in Connecticut are being comforted moment by moment. I hope any family or loved one going through any tragedy or loss are comforted. Hope! All of us have hope for something, and it always involves a future event or circumstance that’s not yet happened. We hope the plans we have for today turn out just the way we want them too. We hope our days off over the Christmas holiday are filled up with fun times with friends and family. We hope 2013 is better than 2012. We hope …
What is hope? In 2001 I read a book by Rich DeVos titled Hope from my Heart. He wrote it after his heart transplant. On the very first page he quotes Psalm 62:5: My soul, finds rest in God alone; my hope comes from him. Then he begins this book with a chapter on Hope. On this 5th day of Christmas, I want to share some excerpts from this book with you. “No human life is without problems. I’ve always believed that a good challenge presents opportunities to learn, grow, gain strength, or to reach a higher goal. I always believed the future is in God’s hands. Life does not stand still for any of us; it’s full of changes large and small. For me, whatever the wind blows my way, hope is constant. When out on the water sailing, the wind blows a lot of unsettling conditions your way. So does life. And those unsettling conditions can break us or make us. It’s not how we handle the good days that determine how well we do in life. It’s how we handle the bad days. It is hope in God that shines the light on our path. That’s why I always put my trust in God and hope for the best.” Well said, Rich DeVos.
Hope from my heart, my hope for you, put your trust in God and be blessed.
Psalm 39:7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.
Psalm 43:5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 52:9 For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xsb1-mURIs
Because of Grace we Press On