Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Devotionals for the Heart: The Hope of the Bible cannot be defeated


An Invincible Hope

A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” –Titus 3:7 (KJV)

There are so many different things I hope for throughout just one day.

I hope it won’t rain today. I hope I get the promotion. I hope my friend is feeling better than she was yesterday. But this kind of hope simply sounds like wishful thinking. There is no confidence behind these hopes—they are empty and uncertain.

Wishful thinking always depends completely on circumstances: If it is sunny today, I will be happy. If it rains, I will be sad. But how can we depend upon our circumstances for happiness and fulfillment? Our circumstances are always changing and fluctuating. Additionally, our circumstances are being constantly manipulated by the enemy. 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV) states, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”. The devil is searching for ways to discourage Christians. If our hope is set on our circumstances, it would be easy for the devil to alter our circumstances for the worse and discourage us.

The hope of the Bible, however, is far from wishful thinking. The hope of the Bible is a hope in eternal life, in everlasting joy, in Jesus Himself. These things are certain. They are facts. John 3:16 (KJV) states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” It does not say that some or a select few might be saved. It says that whosoever believes will have eternal life.

But what about the major disappointments of life? Sometimes, we spend years working toward a specific goal or dream only to have it crushed in front of us. We can pray. We can ask God to intercede. But here on Earth, we are going to face major disappointments. We are going to face heartache. We are going to face failure and defeat. Jesus says in John 16:33 (KJV), “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”. The world hates the light and love. Satan will stop at nothing to 
extinguish the light of Christians. But our hope is not found in this world. Our hope is in Jesus Christ because He has overcome the world.

When your heart begins to ache, and you don’t know where else to go—go to Jesus. When your circumstances seem hopeless, and you can’t see any way out—go to Jesus. There is no hope besides Jesus and eternal life with Him. We could search every inch of this Earth, but we would never find the hope our souls were made for because our souls were made to be in communion with Jesus. In Christ is where our souls belong.

Put away the habit of wishful thinking and start putting your hope in Jesus. He will never disappoint you and your hope is safe in Him. Jesus is victorious. He has already won. Why not put your hope in Someone who is invincible and whose plans are certain? Put your hope in the Invincible Hope which is Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Lord, thank You for the hope you have given us. Please help us to put our hope solely in You. Grant us the courage to look beyond our circumstances and keep our eyes always on You. Lord, You are our only lasting and certain hope. Allow us to rest only in who You are and the promises You have made. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection:
“In Christ Alone / The Solid Rock (Live)” by Travis Cottrell. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Tessa Huckstep grew up in rural Illinois to Christian parents and has known Jesus personally since the age of five. 


She is currently attending community college and majoring in elementary education. In the future, she plans to teach in the public school, hoping to bring the love of God with her.

God’s dream of Tessa becoming a writer was revealed to her at the age of sixteen and she hasn’t been able to stop since. Though she has not yet been published, Tessa enjoys writing historical romance novels and speculative fiction.

Tessa believes God loves stories, and through her writing, she wants to reveal the happily ever after God dreams of for each of his daughters—one where Jesus is the knight in shining armor.

Tessa loves all things Georgian/Regency, needlework, and dainty teacups of every size. When she isn’t writing or studying for exams, Tessa can be found in the kitchen with more flour in her hair and on the floor than in the mixing bowl, though the mess is always half the fun!

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Connect with Tessa:
Blog: https://beautifulbeloved937002841.wordpress.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/101227159

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