Daily devotion – hope in God.
Many marriages fail or struggle when a husband or wife looks to their spouse for characteristics and support that only God can supply. For the Bible (Romans) tells us that we are all sinners, that there are none who are righteous, all have fallen short of the glory of God!
It’s a trap for many heading into marriage thinking that their future husband or wife will be able to meet all their needs, all their hopes.
But this is why at marriage services, the emphasis is on a third member of the wedding union, the Holy Spirit of God, needs to be emphasized. Ecc 4:12 And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.
The love that makes a marriage survive and prosper is agape love – this love only God can provide. The forgiveness and grace that is needed in all marriages, these too can only come from God.
There was a time when David was losing hope. His circumstances had crashed around him, he found himself friendless and alone – apart from God!
David spoke to himself these words, a prayer also to God – Psa 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
The Bible, just like David, urges us to find our hope in God – not in in our circumstances, or our natural optimism, or pessimism, or our family or friends – not even our spouse – but from God!
You ask how is this possible? It happens when we realize how much God loves us – a love so deep that His Son was willing to surrender His life for us. It happens too when we realize that this life is not all, but ahead of us is Heaven, if we know Christ.
This morning, is your hope in Him – both for this life and the life to come?