DEVOTION - SUNDAY, JUNE 17, 2012

DEVOTION – SUNDAY,  JUNE 17, 2012

Hopeful or Hopeless?

BY

GREG LAURIE

The hope of the righteous will be gladness, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. (Proverbs 10:28)

Everyone hopes in something. Some hope in themselves. Like Maria in The Sound of Music, they have “confidence in confidence.” But that is not going to sustain them.

Others put their hope in technology. Still others put their hope in politicians.

But I have a tried and tested place where you can put your hope. Put it in God. He never will let you down. That is true because the Bible says it is true, but I also know it is true from a personal standpoint, because I have put it to the test. God has been there for me, and he will be there for you. No matter what you face in life, He will walk with you through it. As the psalmist said, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me” (Psalm 23:4).

You are either hopeful or hopeless. The Bible says, “The hope of the righteous will be gladness, but the expectation of the wicked will perish” (Proverbs 10:28). So hope in God.

Is that where your hope is? Maybe you are facing a crisis right now. Maybe you have just heard the worst news imaginable.  Maybe you are going through troubles in your marriage . . . troubles at work . . . troubles with your family . . . health troubles . . . financial troubles. The list goes on. Maybe you’re in anguish or anxiety right now, and you’re wondering what to do.

Here is what you do: You call out to God. And here is the great hope that every Christian has. No matter what happens in life, we have the guaranteed assurance that when we die, we will go to heaven. Now, that is called a win-win situation.

Summary sentence: There is great hope for every believer!