Devotion: The Author of All Hope

“12 new chapters, 365 new chances.” ~Unknown

Have you ever read a really good book that you just didn’t want to end? One where you get so attached to the characters you don’t know how you will continue living without knowing what will happen next in their lives? Yeah. Me too.

Conversely, have you ever read a book so terrible that you just couldn’t finish? Or better yet, you finished each painful chapter hoping the story would redeem itself, only to close the book with the knowledge that there was no redemption, just bitter disappointment? Yeah. Me too.

That is the beauty and wonder of books; some take us on grand adventures, some tug at our heartstrings, while others are filled with history, mystery, wisdom, inspiration, anger, frustration, or deep disappointment. No matter the outcome, each book is different and holds a promise of something new and unexplored.

Theodore Roosevelt said, “I am part of everything that I have read.”

Each year is like a new book in the library of our lives. Every month is a new chapter in that book, and each day is a blank page ready to be written upon. And just like every book, some years are so good you never want them to stop and some are so terrible you cannot wait for them to end. However, each year of our lives helps build our collection and shape us into who we are meant to be. Volumes of joy, struggle, peace, compassion, longing, rejoicing, heartache, pain, and love will find their way into each of our libraries. Some years may be filled with an overflowing amount of joy that teaches us how to truly rejoice and give thanks in the abundance, and some years may be filled with immense pain that will birth compassion for others. Every year becomes a part of us.

Whether this last year was your favorite book in the library of your life or whether you are ready to throw it into the burn pile, let’s remember that tomorrow is a new day that holds the promise of hope. Our hope rests in the author of our story, and our author is the God of all hope. He can fill us with his peace and joy no matter what these next days, months, and years toss our way.

As we close the book of 2016 and turn the first page of 2017, may we remember the blessings of this past year and give sincere thanks to the author who has blessed us with another chapter.

Dear Lord, I just want to thank you for another year of life in which to learn, love, and praise you no matter the circumstances. May we truly savor the gifts you have given us, and remember that our hope firmly rests in you and not in our circumstances. Amen.

Scriptures for Reflection

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”” (Lamentation 3:22-24 NIV)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Reach for More

This week’s challenge is to find two blank sheets of paper. Write 2016 on the top of one sheet and list at least ten blessings from the past year. Then write 2017 on the top of the other sheet and list at least five hopes you have for the coming year.

Dear friends, we can do this. Be courageous, and let’s be brave enough to remember that our God is the God of hope and he is in the business of filling our hearts to overflowing with peace and joy no matter what our circumstances may hold.

Please, come back and leave a comment telling us about how God spoke to you this week, or share your progress on social media using the hashtag #tgtreachformore. We would love to hear from you.

Sarah Lundgren has a passion for all things sparkly, loves God with her whole heart, and is known to love Starbucks chai lattes a whole lot, too. Sarah is currently snuggled in the heart of Grand Rapids, Michigan with her sweet hubby, J, and her full-time job is making pretty things all day long for her Etsy business, so sarah designs, but she also loves writing devotional content here at The Glorious Table.