Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God. – Psalm 146:5
Do you ever wonder if what is happening in your life is actually according to God’s plan for you? When you are walking close to him, the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or a wayward child might not seem to align with the good God that you worship, the One who says He is your refuge, your strength, your hope. However, from eternity past, God has known you and has a plan for your life. Though you might drift from it, He will work out His purpose. There is no Plan B.
Hope in the Lord shines through the dark times. Your faith in God is hope in action. Hope reminds you that He refines you through difficult times… increasing your trust in Him and your confidence that He will sustain you. The prophet reported God stating, in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord; plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” He follows up on this, saying, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart“ (v. 13).
The key to living in this hope is your full surrender to the will of God. Give yourself and your life to Him daily, hourly, or moment-by-moment, as needed. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Pray today for Christians who serve in government, who are seeking that sense of hope and security, to fully submit to the plans and authority of God. His love will not fail them (or you).
Today’s Verse: Psalm 146:5
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 146
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3 Put not your trust in princes,
in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
on that very day his plans perish.
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
6 who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
7 who executes justice for the oppressed,
who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
8 the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
the Lord loves the righteous.
9 The Lord watches over the sojourners;
he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
10 The Lord will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the Lord!
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
