Where does your hope lie?

'Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ' 1 Peter 1:13

I feel uncertain about our future plans. But: 'I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope'. Jeremiah 29:11

At times I feel overwhelmed when I look at the workload of the next few months, and feel anxious that I do not have 'what it takes' to get things done well. 'Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans' Proverbs 16:3. 'Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it. Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep' Psalm 127:1-2

These past few weeks have been busy, returning from overseas and then doing erratic night shifts. I feel tired and weary indeed! 'Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall. But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint'. Isaiah 40:30-31

I have felt sad as I have remembered this time six years ago, when our daughter was dying in a South African hospital. At times I feel very alone in this grief, separated by space and time from those who knew and understood. But one day, 'God Himself will be with [us] and be [our] God, And God will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away'. Revelation 21:3-4

Sometimes I feel burdened by things I cannot really explain to others. With a young family and a busy job, sometimes there just doesn't seem to be time to talk things over with friends, to explain how things really are, to build the depth of friendship I once knew. But Jesus calls me: 'Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light'. Matthew 11:28-30

I can feel sad that I am not close to some in my family who do not share our faith and our hope, and who do not understand the reasons for the choices we make in life (particularly those that relate to our children). 'But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother'. Proverbs 18:24

'All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work' 2 Timothy 3:16

Whatever circumstances or emotions you face tonight, the Bible has something of great relevance to say to you. Pray that God will show you His word of truth, and that He will remind you of the solid hope we have in Him. I pray that as this Sabbath comes to a close that you are refreshed and encouraged for the week ahead, whatever it may bring.