ONE GREAT HOPE: Lora

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But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

Lamentations 3:21-24 Revised Standard Version

As I read Lamentations 3:21-24, the hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness” immediately comes to mind. Research led me to find that one of the poems Thomas Chisholm wrote in 1923 used today’s passage as his inspiration. Through his penned words, he expressed appreciation of God’s unchanging faithfulness in his life. In collaboration with Chisholm’s good friend and musician William Runyan (who was associated with Moody Bible Institute), the melody took shape and the hymn was published that same year. The familiar chorus specifically reflects verse 23:

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Throughout the Bible, considerable encouragement is found in the stories of God’s faithfulness to His people. Think of Daniel in the lion’s den, God leading His people to the Promised Land through Moses (then eventually Joshua), and God fulfilling His promise to the descendants of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. In reading these examples of God’s faithfulness, it should give us hope and encouragement to put our full trust in Him. We can receive hope from the stories of the Bible and from those who patiently endured in faith before they saw their promises fulfilled. We can trust Him to fulfill His promises to us. 

God cares for you no matter what challenges you may face. Whether you are in a time of discouragement or joy, He is walking right beside you. Reflecting that God is faithful will give you expectant hope of His continued faithfulness in your life no matter the circumstance.

And maybe, just like me, you will find yourself singing “Great is Thy Faithfulness” to yourself as a reminder of how we can always find hope in God’s faithfulness.

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Thank you Lord for speaking to us through your word. Remind us of your faithfulness each day and use us to share your hope with others. Amen.

Reflect on this:
How does God’s faithfulness give you hope?
Take a moment to write down the blessings God has given you and thank Him for all He has done.