Oh God, Our Hope (Week 2) - Monday Morning Devotions
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On this Monday, the start of the typical work week we face many challenges. There are times when one would rather just stay in bed. Some of us have had weeks off of work, or from school. Others have had to work at what some refer to as 'essential' vocations, and are desperately in need of some time off.
If you are one of those who still watch the news, then you are probably in need of some encouraging words, some good news. There is no better place to turn for some Good News than to God and His Sacred Word.
Today's text is from Psalm 46:1–3 (ESV)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
It can be really hard to trust in God. It takes faith, which is thankfully a gift from our Creator and not something we need to muster on our own, to trust in Him at all times, through thick and thin, in sickness and in health.
Another good place to turn for some encouraging words is through the words of songs. Throughout this series, we will also reflect on a verse of Isaac Watts hymn entitled: "O God, Our Help in Ages Past" (1674-1748, alt.). In his first verse he connects of to Psalm 46:
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home:
For those who have been around a while and have experienced more than one trial and tragedy in your lives; we can reflect on the past. We might even say we were able to come through it all on our own - but in reality, God carries us!
When we reflect on the fact that God has carried us in the past, we can find reassurance for our current and future troubles. He will shelter us during the stormy blast, and even if death is the result, we have the blessed hope of life in our eternal home - paradise!
Please pray with me: Almighty God the Father, through Jesus Christ, Your only-begotten Son, our Lord, You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.