Mid-Week Review 01/05/25

Have you ever felt like giving up? Maybe life feels heavy, and you wonder if there’s any point in holding on to hope. The Bible is full of stories that remind us hope is never wasted, even when things seem impossible.
Take the story of the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25-29). For twelve long years, she suffered. She spent all she had on doctors, only to get worse. Can you imagine her feelings of alienation, powerlessness, and doom? Yet, she didn’t let hopelessness win. Instead, she believed that if she could just touch Jesus’ garment, she would be healed. And she was right. Her faith stopped Jesus in His tracks. Her hope and belief brought her healing.
When life feels overwhelming, do you press toward Jesus or turn away? 2 Corinthians 5:7 reminds us, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Faith means trusting God even when you can’t see the solution. It means holding onto His promises when the world tells you to let go.
Hope isn’t always easy. Just ask the blind men in Matthew 20:29-33. They cried out to Jesus for mercy, even as the crowd tried to silence them. Their boldness and persistence showed their faith, and Jesus responded by restoring their sight. What voices in your life try to drown out your hope? Doubt, pain, and fear can feel deafening, but God’s voice is louder when we choose to listen.
Like Gideon in Judges 6, we might struggle to believe God sees us and our struggles. But God calls us to rise up, trust Him, and let Him work through us. Gideon’s obedience brought freedom not just for himself but for his people.
Hope isn’t passive. It’s a fight—a decision to trust God daily. When you choose hope, you inspire others to believe too. Let’s embrace hope that believes, persists, and hears God’s voice. Because with Him, there’s always a reason to hope.

-Tom Bragdon



This devotion came from a summary of the Morning Worship Sermon on 01/05/25, to watch the Full Sermon on this topic, simply follow the link below.


Disclaimer:
This devotion was created with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. While every effort has been made to ensure the content aligns with biblical principles and spiritual values, readers are encouraged to consult scripture and seek personal guidance for their faith journey.