ONE GREAT HOPE: Debbie
With all my heart I wait for the Lord to help me.
I put my hope in his word.
I wait for the Lord to help me.
I want his help more than night watchmen want the morning to come.
I’ll say it again.
I want his help more than night watchmen want the morning to come.
Israel, put your hope in the Lord, because the Lord’s love never fails.
He sets his people completely free.
Psalm 130:5-7, New International Reader’s Version
Does your life feel out of control? Are you overcome with worry, guilt, fear, or despair and you can’t see a way out? Do you long to see a shimmer of light in a tunnel that seems endlessly dark?
Sometimes our circumstances can feel so lonely and desolate, we don’t know if we will ever see a change. We long for God to step in. We are desperate for His help. We long, more than anything else, for this dark night to end, to make way for the morning, for the bright hope that comes with it.
Waiting can seem impossible, but we can wait on the Lord because we put our hope in his Word. Our hope is found in God’s promises, his faithfulness, and in knowing that his love will never fail! With our whole heart, we wait on the Lord to redeem us and set us free from all that is holding us down.
I have been in a tunnel of grief since losing my husband to cancer last year, and then being diagnosed with cancer myself six months later. My biggest fears have all come to pass. My husband was our sole provider. I have four kids that I’m terrified to leave parentless. My world sometimes feels so dark and hopeless that, when I try to look into the future, all I can see is more darkness. The hardest part is feeling so alone. My husband was my best friend, my biggest ally, my stability. I literally feel like I’m drifting, being tossed around in an angry sea with no solid ground to help me find my footing.
The only constant in my life is God. He truly is the rock on which I stand. Even when my heart was crying out, “Why did you take the life that I loved and leave me with so much pain and uncertainty?” I knew that God was still holding onto me, giving me the strength to put one foot in front of the other and follow Him through each day.
Despite all this world has thrown at me, my soul can hear that still, small voice of God whispering, “Trust in me. Put your faith in me, your hope in my Word, and wait for me to rescue you.” I can’t always see it, but I can feel those small glimmers of hope because I know that help is on the way.
Is there an area in your life, a problem or worry that is stealing your joy? Hold on and know that God is on the way. He is already working it out. He promises to help you through every trouble, big or small. Put your hope in Him, be still, and wait.
Lord, thank you for your unfailing love that fills my soul with hope. Help me to hold onto that hope as I wait for you. Thank you that I can count on you to set me free! Amen.
Endnote: After writing this devotion, I found out that my daughter is pregnant and I am going to be a grandma for the first time! Those glimmers of hope are getting brighter. God is so good!!
Reflect on this:
Where do you see glimmers of hope in your life today?
In what ways might you be a glimmer of hope for someone else?
Debbie Nahodil lives in Phoenix, AZ
I am an avid reader of real books… not digital! My two older daughters and I coach my youngest daughter’s volleyball team, which is so amazing to be able to do as a family.
Thank you Debbie for pouring your heart out to us. You remind me to look for those glimmers of hope in his Word. Congratulations on the baby coming into your family. What a blessing!
Judy, you have helped me learn so much about God throughout the years that we’ve been friends. You’re such a blessing to me and if I was able to give back to you, even just a little, then you are very welcome ❤️
Debbie, thank you for opening your heart to all of us. Your story is such a precious reminder to place our lives in God’s hands each and every day. And to trust Him to be there as we walk through dark times for He is the Light that leads us out of that darkness.
What a blessing you have a new grandbaby to look forward to in the new year!
Leeta, I am soooo excited about the new baby!! It is so nice to have something happy to focus our attention on 🙂
I would like to share a link with you to a song that has helped me through some of my hardest days. Hope it helps you, too 🙂
https://youtu.be/io8GX4zMemg
Debbie, thank you again for your encouraging words of hope in God and his word. I know there is light at the end of our tunnel and I am looking forward to this light becoming brighter and brighter to lead us in the right decisions.
Love you and keeping you in my prayers.
I am still praying for you guys, too. I know that God will lead you in making these really tough decisions. Love you ❤️
Debbie, I sense the Presence of Jesus, His peace and comfort as you are going through this sorrowful stretch of your journey. It is so inspiring to read as you encourage joy and hope on our journey. As I was reading your post, Psalm 84 kept coming to my mind. “How blessed are those in whom you live, who’s lives become roads you travel. They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks, discover cool springs and pools, brimming with rain. God traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, at the last turn, – God in full view!” Vs 5-7 The Message
Julie, thank you for sharing that Psalm with me. I went and read it in my Bible and it’s beautiful. Sometimes I get so caught up in walking through the valley, that I don’t notice the “cool springs.” I’m trying to remember to look for all the little blessings God is still giving me 🙂
Debbie, “Weary Traveler” is one of my favorites which carry me through days of fear, doubt and worry. I have never seen the video. That is exactly how I picture God finding me all those years ago and never letting me go! , Thank you for sharing your story. Your faith is inspiring! Congratulations on becoming a grandma, indeed God’s light is breaking through!
I love this so much!! This gives me hope during dark times!
Love you and miss you. Praying for you and your family.
I love you and miss you too!