This week I am starting to work on a short devotional about hope that I have been asked to share at a local hospital.   I have been praying and studying some scriptures which speak about hope.  So many of my favorite scriptures speak about hope!  One of them is found in Romans chapter 15.  The Apostle Paul writes,

Romans 15:4   For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Paul reminds the church that God’s word can serve to instruct us and help us to endure any situation we may find ourselves in, especially those which are unpleasant, unfair and unkind.  God, through His word can give us the power to endure!  God through His word can give us instruction and encouragement!  God has given us His word that we might have hope!

I love that reminder.  And it is a good one especially for this time of the year.  For although this is a season of celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas, not everyone feels like celebrating.  Some people are downcast and discouraged as they face this season in the midst of a life filled with trials and hardships.  Some people feel downcast and discouraged because they face this season alone, without someone they love.   In the midst of every circumstance, God is able to comfort us and give us strength.  He is able to help us endure and He is able to give us hope.  I pray that we would consistently and continually turn to God’s word and learn His word so that He can give us hope.  And I pray that we would live God’s word, so that He can use us to give hope to others