Hope FirstSample

Hope First

DAY 8 OF 30

Best Days Are Ahead 

THE OLD IS GONE, THE NEW IS HERE

If the ups and downs of our lives were pinpoints on a graph, what would yours look like? Would it be one straight line going up? Would it be a flat line all the way? Or would it look like many of ours: like a mountain range with high highs and low lows? Over the course of life, we encounter numerous blessings, victories, and celebrations. In the same breath, we face tragedy, times of stolen joy, and defeat. When we hit these low points in life, it may seem like there’s no way out. It can feel as if we have to fight through it alone. But the Bible teaches us differently. Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” And in John 16:33 (a scripture we can continuously cling to in our hardest moments), Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Did you catch that? Jesus has overcome the world and everything in it. When trials and hardships arise, we can hold onto the hope offered through Christ Jesus. We can find true rest in Christ when we trade in our worries and sorrows for peace and joy. 

There is power in perspective. Instead of focusing on the darkness that tries to consume us in hard seasons, we can acknowledge the promise in Jesus’ sacrifice. We have not yet experienced our best days. Isaiah 43:19 says, “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” In this scripture, God declares that He is not finished yet. Our story is still being written. Yes, we will have to walk through seasons of wilderness, but God says that He will make a pathway for us. Our past mistakes and failures will not prevent us from experiencing the “best” in our days ahead. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that “anyone in Christ has become a NEW creation. The old is gone, the new is here.”

When we acknowledge the power God has, we can face our obstacles with courage and strength. We may not know what the future will hold, but we have access to the One who knows every detail. God has the greatest plan for your life that is still unfolding. Trust Him and walk confidently through life remembering that the best is still yet to come. 

PRAYER

Jesus, thank You for creating this path for me and giving me new life. I will put my trust in You and look at my life with a faith-filled perspective. I believe Your Word is true and that the best is yet to come in my life! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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About this Plan

Hope First

Start your day with hope. With the Hope First devotional plan, we've created devotionals that will inspire you to see God at work in your life through 5 key areas: Who God Is, Why We Can Trust God, Growing in Spiritual Discipline, Choosing Faith in Difficult Times, and Responding to God's Call to Reach Others.

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