“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.” – Lamentations 3:21
When I was a little girl, I was sent to live with aunt and uncle on the other side of the country. It was a traumatic event in my life, but God had His watchful eye on me even though I didn’t know Him yet. As most southern families, my aunt and uncle attended church, and I accompanied them. It was here that I first learned about Noah and his ark, David and Goliath, and the precious stories about the Son of God, Jesus.
When I returned to California to live once more with my parents, I began to attend a small church near our home where a missionary presented the gospel message during a morning worship service. His message really touched my heart, and when he gave an invitation, I was quick to respond. That day, I accepted Christ as my Saviour and invited Him to be Lord of my life. Afterwards, I attended Sunday school as much as possible, learned more about Jesus, and my young faith grew. One of the first verses I remember memorizing was John 3:16, “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.”
When I became a young mother, I also became more active in my Christian faith by taking my own children to church and teaching in Sunday school and AWANA. I chose to work the handbooks with my children, memorizing lots of verses along with them, and letting them “sign off” the sections in my own handbook. I trusted Proverbs 22:6 then, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it,” and I still trust it today. I can also recall many of the verses that I “hid in my heart,” which gave me great comfort during a few rough times when raising my family.
Now that I’m in my “golden” years, I still can remember many of the verses that I learned long ago, and they continue to give me great comfort when circumstances are troublesome. For example, we are in the midst of a global pandemic, and I rely on Psalm 91:2-3, “I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.”
In times of difficulty, troubles, or fear, recalling verses from the Bible can be a tremendous source of comfort and strength. These verses are the tools the Holy Spirit uses to remind me that God is always in control, always with me, and always working all things “…together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
When doubts and fears come, I remember the promises in God’s Word. These assurances in Scripture are the reason that I have peace in my soul today and hope for tomorrow.
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
(from “Standing on the Promises” by Russell Carter)
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” – Romans 15:13
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Looking for hope? Read the Bible, and I promise you’ll find it there!