Hope in a Time of Crisis

Where can we find hope? There’s no better place to find what we need during this time of crisis than the Word of God. I believe the verses below speak of the promises we have in knowing our Lord, and they also offer us comfort.

I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.

(Psalm 130:5 NLT)

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

(Romans 15:13 NLT)

Confident expectation is the Biblical definition of hope as we look to God’s promises in His Word. During these difficult times, we can rest in the assurance of His love and His coming.

With God’s Word and Christ in us, we can rest in hope and dwell in peace. The Lord’s got this—whatever “this” is for us—the virus, other health concerns, a family situation, our job, and our finances. Trust Him.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

(Isaiah 26:3 NLT)

God’s Word doesn’t hide the fact that we’ll endure struggles, but these difficulties help us grow stronger in character and reinforce our hope of salvation.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

(Romans 5:3-5 NLT)

In two of the verses above, we see the role of the Holy Spirit equipping us with power. This gives us confidence and fills our hearts with God’s love. In addition, the Holy Spirit indwells, guides, and intercedes for us, and He is our comforter. Trust Him to hold you during this time of crisis, guide you through God’s Word, and intercede on your behalf as you pray and seek the Lord.

Father, I thank You for Your Word and for the rest and hope we find there. Thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit working in us as we trust in You and as you fill us with joy and peace. Lord I ask for Your protection over us, and for those who are sick, I pray for healing. Bless the lonely, the anxious, and those who feel forgotten during this time of crisis and may they find comfort in knowing You love them. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

I’m praying for God’s blessings upon you. Stay safe and well!

Photo by Toimetaja Tolkeburoo - Unsplash

He Holds Our Hand

Our hands are often used to show kindness, love, and to offer help to others. Holding someone’s hand can signify a special moment of showing tenderness and concern. God does that with us—He holds our hand.

In my novel, Only A Glimpse, holding hands is a regular occurrence. My main female character, Keedryn, struggles with her new boss, Blake. He’s arrogant, heartless, and takes his frustrations out on her. She reminisces about her husband, Sam, who passed away a few years earlier. “He left me too soon. I need him to hold me and reassure me I’m strong enough to deal with my boss.” She also recalls how much she misses those special moments she and her husband shared. “I miss our strolls, how he held my hand in church, and the stability and wisdom he brought into our marriage.”

Special moments of handholding also take place between Keedryn and her friends as they join hands to pray in agreement for God’s will to be done in Blake and Keedryn’s relationship. “She took my hand. ‘Let’s pray and ask God what His plans are. Are you willing to do that?’ ‘Yes,’ I whispered.”

Blake, the main male character in my story, softens toward Keedryn and tries to win her heart. They travel by plane to an out-of-state conference and encounter turbulence. Keedryn does something unexpected. “I reached out for his hand and held tight, which was something normal for me when Sam and I traveled. But Blake? I tried to move my hand, but he put his other hand over the top of mine, grinned, and said, ‘We’ll be fine.’ I managed to yank my hand away on the second try. ‘Sorry.’ His eyes twinkled. ‘I didn’t mind.’”

Blake offers her his hand a few times when they’re walking together, but Keedryn refuses because she doesn’t want a relationship, especially with her boss. She lets her guard down on one occasion and accepts his hand, but soon after, something happens between them. She then struggles to forgive him for the heartache he’s caused. While in the car together, he requests grace. ‘“I understand God gives us second chances, I thought maybe you’d give me one too.’ He offered me his hand again. I hesitated for a moment, then accepted it . . .I turned my gaze onto the road in front of me. I should take my hand back. But did I want to?”

In another scene, Blake touches Keedryn’s hand in a moment of tenderness and compassion and to speak to her with sincerity. ‘“Hurting you was the furthest thing from my mind. Can you forgive me?’ I placed my free hand on top of his and sighed. ‘Yes.’”

Above I’ve shared how holding someone’s hand may offer reassurance, connect people in prayer, bring comfort and security, grow relationships, and express tenderness, compassion, and sincerity.

Although I’m sharing scenes from my book, I hope you’ll notice the correlation here with God’s love for us. He holds our hand too.

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.

Psalm 37:23-24, NLT

If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.

Psalm 139:9-10, NLT

And when we feel we need more than our hand held—

Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms.

Psalm 68:19, NLT

Father, thank you for holding my hand. You offer me strength, security, comfort, and so much more. I’m grateful for Your guidance, along with Your tenderness and compassion toward me. May I always remember that You go before me and follow me, and you are always with me. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Photo by Kimi Albertson - Unsplash

Offer Sacrifices

Before Christ’s death and resurrection, people presented burnt offerings to receive forgiveness of their sins. But these gifts weren’t the Lord’s only requirement. He also desired that their sacrifice be given with a thankful heart and a broken spirit—a change of attitude within. Are we required to offer sacrifices today?

Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God,
and keep the vows you made to the Most High.

Psalm 50:14, NLT

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

Psalm 51:17, NLT

Once Christ sacrificed His life for us, we were no longer required to present burnt offerings. We are called, however, to model our lives after His—filled with love.

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.
He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us,
a pleasing aroma to God.

Ephesians 5:2, NLT

Romans 12:1 teaches that our bodies are to be a living and holy sacrifice. Our true worship includes holiness, purity, and Christlikeness.

And we are taught to offer a continual sacrifice of praise—to proclaim our faithfulness to His name.

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.
And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need.
These are the sacrifices that please God.

Hebrews 13:15-16, NLT

But when is our offering of thanksgiving and praise a sacrifice? Do we ever have bad days or days we don’t feel well? Maybe we’re too tired or busy? Even during these times, we are to thank and praise the One who has given us so much and proclaim our commitment and devotion to Him.

Sacrifice is still required today as a part of our daily worship, in our praise and thanksgiving for all God has done, and in declaring our faithfulness to His name. Other ways we may sacrifice are of our time, talent, and giving. These include doing good and sharing with those in need as stated in the above verses from Hebrews—lovingly serving others is often a sacrifice.

In what other ways do we offer sacrifices to the Lord?

Father, may I be aware of how You desire for me to lovingly serve others in the sacrificing of my time, talent, and giving. Convict me, Holy Spirit, when I sin, so I can be quick to repent and follow You—to worship You in purity and walk in Christlikeness. Help me remember to thank You on my good days and on those not so good days when I’d rather mope and complain. I desire to give You praise and thanksgiving for all Your blessings, declare Your faithfulness through my daily life, and offer sacrifices You are pleased with. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez - Unsplash

Sing To The Lord

Do you enjoy singing? Do you love to sing to the Lord? The Book of Psalms includes many references to singing.

I will thank the Lord because he is just; I will sing praise
to the name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 7:17, NLT

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Psalm 28:7, NLT

Why are we instructed to sing songs of thanksgiving and praise?

  • We sing because of God’s goodness.

I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.

Psalm 13:6, NLT

  • And we sing to celebrate His mighty acts.

Rise up, O Lord, in all your power. With music and singing
we celebrate your mighty acts.

Psalm 21:13, NLT

What are we to sing about?

  • We sing with joy of the Lord’s power, love, and protection.

But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.

Psalm 59:16, NLT

  • And we sing about the glory of His name.

Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is.

Psalm 66:2, NLT

Although the references above are from the Old Testament, Book of Psalms, the New Testament also directs us to sing.

. . . singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.

Ephesians 5:19, NLT

I enjoy lifting my voice to the Lord in song both in corporate worship and in the quiet of my home and car. Times of praise and thanksgiving fill me with joy, love, and strength, and inspire me to draw closer to the Lord. I love to sing to the Lord. Do you?

Photo by Aaron Burden - Unsplash

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