MARCH 2026 - DEVOTION
HOPE’S GIFTS
“My hope is in thee” Psalm 39:7
HOPE’S FIRST MENTION
The first time the word hope appears in Scripture, it is ironically employed as an expression of a woman’s hopelessness. Her name is Naomi. She is known to us because she was Ruth’s mother-in-law. Ruth’s claim to fame, outside her own journey of faith, is her relationship to the future king: David. She was his great-grandmother. Naomi was at a low point in her life when she explained why she lacked hope. It’s understandable. She had suffered great loss, and her future looked bleak.
FINDING HOPE
Ruth did not rebuke her elder; she looked elsewhere for the hope she needed. She looked to Naomi’s God, whom Ruth had come to believe in during their years together. Ruth’s refusal to abandon hope was key to the turnaround in their circumstances.
HOPE’S LEGACY
No doubt this story was relayed to her great-grandson, David. It took hold. Later, as he faced significant trials in his faith journey, he declared to the Lord, “My hope is in thee” (Psalm 39:7). That stubborn hope served him well as he progressed in God’s plan for his life.
HOPE’S GIFTS
Books have been written about the benefits of sustaining hope. Here we will mention a few in hopes of refreshing your hope. These blessings include:
- Rest for the flesh – Psalm 16:9, Acts 2:26
- Uplift for the soul – Psalm 42:11
- Giving God pleasure – Psalm 147:11
- Comfort in the day of evil – Jeremiah 17:17
- Rejoicing- Romans 5:2; 12:12
- Hope’s role in bringing salvation – Romans 8:24
- Hope’s presence through the Scripture’s comfort – Romans 15:4
- Hope’s presence through the power of the Holy Ghost – Romans 15:13
- Boldness of faith – Philippians 1:20
- The hope which is laid up for us in heaven – Colossians 1:5
- Purification – I John 3:3
CHRIST OUR HOPE
Ultimately, our hope is founded in Christ and his:
- Resurrection – Philippians 3:11
- Glorious appearing – Titus 2:13
- Gift of eternal life -Titus 1:2
It is the better hope provided in Christ that provides the Grace we need to sustain our hope until we receive the hoped-for end, which is laid up for us in heaven (Colossians 1:5, Hebrews 7:19).
