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Put your hope in God's promises - Daily Devotions with Jon Dyer

I’m active on social media. I have atheists and skeptics tell me all the time that when we die, that is it. Nothing. It’s all over.

We are a people of hope. We serve a God who gives us hope. We live in the present and look forward to the future.

We know we are living in a new world under Jesus’ new agreement with God. God’s goal for us is to hope. We should be filled with the anticipation of what is going to come in His future for us.

Not so, however, for everyone else. For them, death is the end of the road.

“When the wicked die, that’s it— the story’s over, end of hope.” ~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:7 The Message Bible)

A total grounding of one’s confidence and expectation in God’s goodness and providential care even in the face of trouble.

A total grounding of one’s confidence and expectation in God’s goodness and providential care even in the face of trouble.

Dante passes through the gate of Hell, which bears an inscription ending with the famous phrase “Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch’intrate“, most frequently translated as “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.”

Somewhere between where I am today and Dante’s description, I need to find more hope. God is good and in a good mood. Justice, while lacking here some days, will be done. Beyond faith, I need hope.

It is right for me to hope. Hope is the total grounding of my confidence and expectation in God’s goodness and providential care even in the face of trouble.

The mere sound of the name of Jesus causes me to remember to hope. I need to focus, with confidence, that what Jesus has promised will happen. Jesus is faithful. Justice will triumph!

Before you know it, his justice will triumph;
    the mere sound of his name will signal hope, even 
    among far-off unbelievers. | Matthew 12:21

  • Psalm 131:3  — 3 O Israel, hope in the Master From this time forth and forever.
  • 1 Timothy 6:17  — 17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
  • Psalm 31:24  — 24 Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the Master.
  • Psalm 130:7  — 7 O Israel, hope in the Master; For with the Master there is lovingkindness, And with Him is abundant redemption.
  • Romans 12:12  — 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,
  • Hebrews 10:23  — 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;