HOPE CONTINUALLY IN GOD

WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL

JANUARY 23, 2022

TOPIC: HOPE CONTINUALLY IN GOD

BY T. O. BANSO

“Let them be confounded and consumed who are adversaries of my life; Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor who seek my hurt. But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more” (Psalm 71:13-14 New King James Version).  

Life is full of challenges. That one has overcome one does not mean that there are no other challenges yet to be solved. And that one has overcome one is not an assurance that new challenges will not come up. Indeed, success creates new challenges. Whether one calls the challenges struggles, problems, obstacles, or whatever, they are negative situations that one desires to get rid of.

Some challenges are natural; some are spiritual. Also, some challenges could occur because of one’s mistakes or ignorance or the mistakes or ignorance of others. They could also be because of other people’s wickedness or the wickedness of the devil.

Some challenges we face in life could be so stubborn that they stretch one’s faith and patience. But we must never lose hope. No matter how protracted and unbearable the challenges are, we must continue to have hope in God. We must hope continually for an end to them. We must hope for a turnaround. We must hope for victory at last. Don’t lose hope.

The author of Psalm 71 prays, “Let them be confounded and consumed who are adversaries of my life; Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor who seek my hurt. But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more” (verses 13-14 New King James Version). Take note of the phrase “I will hope continually.”

In Psalm 42, weighed down by life’s trouble, the psalmist wept day and night while the enemy continually mocked him, asking, “Where is your God?” (Verse 3). Trying to encourage himself, he said, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance” (Psalm 42:5 New King James Version). Take note of the phrase “hope in God.”  The author of the psalm repeats the same thought in verse 11. 

Hope continually in God, no matter how serious the challenges you’re facing are. Don’t lose hope. The apostle Paul says in Romans 5:3-5, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (New King James Version).

For your hope not to disappoint you, make sure that you hope in God. Don’t put your hope in unreliable things or people. Don’t put your hope in the words or promises of a human being. Psalm 33:17 says a horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.

Let your hope be in God. Hope continually in Him. David says in Psalm 39:7, “And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You” (New King James Version).  Also, the author of Psalm 130 says, “O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy” (verse 7 New King James Version). Hope in the Lord too. Psalm 146:5 says happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God. Hope continually in the Lord. “O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forever” (Psalm 131:3 New King James Version). The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy (Psalm 147:11).

As you face the challenges of life, don’t let them overwhelm you. Don’t let them make you lose hope. Abraham and Sarah could not have a child for many years despite the promise of God. But Abraham didn’t lose hope though, in the course of waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise, he got a child through his wife’s handmaid, Hagar. But Romans 4:18 says Abraham, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what God had spoken. Eventually, Sarah conceived and gave birth to Isaac when Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90.

Hope continually in God by hoping in His Word or promises. “Remember your promise to me, for it is my only hope. Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles” (Psalm 119:49-50 New Living Translation). The New King James Version puts it thus: “Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life” (New King James Version).

There is no guarantee that the promises or words of human beings will not fail. Therefore, put your hope only in the word or promise of God. The psalmist says his soul faints for the LORD’s salvation, but he hopes in His word (Psalm 119:81). In verses 114 and 147, he also speaks again about hoping in His word. Hope in God; hope in His Word. “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope” (Psalm 130:5 New King James Version). Hope continually in God.

Indeed, hope deferred makes the heart sick, but the same scripture says when the desire comes,  it is a tree of life (Proverbs 13:12). In other words, “Hope put off is a weariness to the heart; but when what is desired comes, it is a tree of life” (Bible in Basic English).  Hope continually in God even when you’re yet to see what you desire. There is a hereafter, a future ahead of you, and your hope will not be cut off or disappointed (Proverbs 23:18).

Hope continually in God; you won’t be put to shame. Hope in Him and He will strengthen your heart (Psalm 31:24). The hope of the righteous will be gladness (Proverbs 10:28a). Make God your hope (Psalm 71:5a). “Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy” (Psalm 33:18 New King James Version). Hope continually in God.

TAKE ACTION!

If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.

Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.

I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.

PRAYER POINTS: Father, thank You for the future ahead of me, let not my hope be cut off or disappointed. Let Your mercy be upon me as I hope in You. Holy Spirit, help me to hope continually in God. Father, give me victory over life’s challenges.

(For over 800 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).

T. O. Banso is the President, Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org