WHERE TO FIND HOPE

It’s so easy to take familiar comforts for granted, don’t you think? Especially if we’ve always had them at our disposal. Clean water to drink, warm home in winter, coffee in the morning, a closet full of clothes—all the things. And then there’s the Bible. We can own one in every color, translation, language, device, size, or font that our hearts desire. But how easily it is shelved, saved for later, dismissed due to distractions. And then when our lives are shaken and we need hope more than air, we forget where to find it. But it’s sitting there waiting in the Word on our bookshelf, nightstand, device app, brimming with all the hope we will ever need…

I am the first one to raise my hand and admit that I’ve taken God’s Word for granted.

I have major regrets not making time to dig in more diligently in my yesteryears—but to my delight, I’m finding the older I get, the more precious God’s Word is to me.

“Nobody ever outgrows scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years.” Charles Spurgeon

In my fabulous fifties, I can glean new-to-me wisdom from its pages. It hasn’t changed, so I’m guessing I have.

It’s as relevant in 2021 as it was when it was originally penned back in the day.

It’s as relevant to a teenager in Texas as it is to a senior in Switzerland.

And if ever there was a time we could ALL benefit from a fresh appreciation of the hope-filled Word, it’s now.

Confession time: I am horrible at memorizing scripture. Memorizing anything really. I could blame age, apathy, or a hundred other things. I’m a work in progress. But when I read the following verse reminding me where to turn in times of stress or struggle, I made the effort to memorize it. (Bonus that it was super short and included the number of the first house I lived in!)

“You are my shelter and my shield; I put my hope in your word.” Psalm 119:114

If that’s the only verse I remember all year, I know it will serve me well. It’s the reason I’m writing this today! And here’s why these words are so incredibly vital:

“Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” 1 Timothy 3:16-17

The Bible equips us because it’s God’s heart for us. Within its pages, He offers comfort, strength, encouragement, guidance, peace, joy, grace, and mercy. He offers His unconditional love to each one of us. Eternal life. Doesn’t that sound like hope to you?

“There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 3:15b

Everyone is searching for hope—we gravitate toward hope-filled stories, books, people, organizations, movies, and the like. Today especially, when fear and frustration hover over us like a cloud pregnant with hopelessness, we yearn for a glimmer of something solid, certain, and true.

I pray we find it in Jesus, through His Word.

Drink in the beauty and truth of this blessing as you go on with your day, friend, and know where to find HOPE:

“Now may God, the fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him.

And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope!” Romans 15:13

Until next time,

P.S. I’d love to hop into your inbox once a month with some hope-filled words from “Laura’s Letters”—my newsletter, complete with a book giveaway, book reviews, recipe, and a little soul encouragement. Sign up HERE and enjoy your choice of freebies!