This fall our writers will be focusing on scriptures of Hope. Join us in our practice of Lectio Divina with the scriptures presented.
Listen:
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV)
Reflect:
Many years ago as a young Christian, I attended the last student fellowship meeting before my time at university ended. In those days I was a new, hope filled and enthusiastic believer, but the testimony of a struggling, more mature in the faith student impacted me.
She had many more years of Christian life behind her than I did and she told of her dry spirit, her weariness and doubts. She spoke of the apparent silence of God in her life at that time; but she also spoke of her earlier commitment to Jesus and how she had promised to stay faithful. She was resolved to keep her promise and hold open her heart to God – She would stay faithful, because he is faithful. Her words were powerful despite her weakness and I stored them away for later.
That young woman’s testimony still returns to my mind when faith gets hard and when God seems silent. Even after all these years, her words encourage me to remember my own promise, to remember he is faithful and to wait. He has never failed me.
There are times in our Christian lives when we are discouraged and may even feel like running away. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to keep doing good and to keep on meeting together with our Christian brothers and sisters (Heb 10). Friends, let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. In other words, when it gets hard, keep holding on.
Questions to Ponder:
How have you seen God’s faithfulness in a difficult time in the past? Remember and give thanks.Read on from Hebrews 10:23 to the end of the chapter.
Prayer of Response:
Lord, thank you for your faithfulness which doesn’t depend on how I feel. You are eternally gracious. Strengthen me to be faithful to you in all circumstances and when I struggle to discern you, to hold on to hope.
—Submitted by: Sylvana Botterill
Sylvana is a long serving member of the Lifesprings leadership team and recently relocated from France to England with her husband and their three children. She is currently focussing on new expressions of Lifesprings in the UK.