Pearls of Hope

A Forty Day Devotional by Regina McIntosh

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Day Three

Romans 4:18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

Abraham and Sarah held onto hope even through the darkest valley of impossibility. It seemed like their hope was futile when they thought of their age and the ridiculousness of Sarah birthing a child at such an age. Becoming the father of many nations, as God had told Abraham he would become, seemed hopeless. But, despite the absurdity of hoping for such a thing, Abraham held onto his hope. He believed God and hoped beyond hope that His promises were attainable. He hoped that God was who He said He was and that this God he’d put his faith, his hope, his trust into, would make his dreams a reality one day.

It wouldn’t be very long, according to God’s timing, before Abraham would become the father he hoped to be and Sarah would hold the baby she’d hoped to embrace. And, even though many years would pass by, it wouldn’t be so long before the many nations God spoke of would become a reality that only God Himself could have inspired into reality. Abraham would, indeed, become the father of many nations and those nations would eventually become Israel, God’s chosen people.

How many times have I felt like my dreams were hopeless, beyond possibility for me, so incredible that I’d never see them change from being inside my thoughts, my heart . . . to the actuality that showed me that God is still at work on behalf of His children.
He still stirs dreams to life and He still makes those dreams materialize.

He is still bringing my hopes, our hopes, a reason and making them into truth when the perfect moment comes to life. He is still a God of hope, a God of certainty, a God who answers prayers and makes hope something that prepares the way for dreams that will become a reality. Thanks to the Creator who made us we can hope even when it seems like our hope is ridiculous. Through hope, He often fulfills the very dream that seems doomed to failure. 

Hope anticipates the future, the idea, the beautiful. Hope silences the doubt, the dread, the despair. Hope remembers the time that God was faithful, the time when God did—the time when God assured the spirit that hopes truly can be fulfilled. Dreams can come true. His blessings are sure. His light shines even brighter in the darkest moments. Through hope, we will find that light and reach toward more of the wonderful, the amazing, the joyful.. as we praise Him for the hope that He stirs up inside the ones who know His hope is a blessing we’re so fortunate to delight in. Hope is alive, a burning smile, a fervent light. Hope is the miracle of a spirit who believes in the One who rouses hope inside even the heart who is desperate, the heart who needs this hope more than anyone, the heart who feels this hope like a gentleness, a healing touch, a blessing sent by the God of love.

A Prayer & A Promise

Dear Lord, I have never been so sure, so hopeful, as I am today— because the more I learn about You and the hope that comes to life inside the soul who believes in Your Son, the more I realize that hoping is second nature to the heart who hears Your tenderness, Your joy, Your sweetness . . . melting away the black dread, the dark depression, the anxieties and doubts. Thanks to the hope You placed inside the believer, there is the assurance that whatever comes, You will whisper hope into the heart so that courage and strength become a reality for the one who listens to Your words, Your inspiration, Your support. Thanks to You, dear Lord, I know what it is to feel hope rushing to the rescue when something feels desperate. The more forlorn and fruitless the situation, the more that hope feels like a kindness that only You could have whispered. Yes, Lord, I know that every hope I’ve ever had hasn’t become reality. But, even those hopes that were dashed taught me that, with You beside me, guiding and inspiring me, there is a blessing to be had. It is often in the crushed hope that I’ve discovered something much more worthwhile than the success that I’d hoped for. Thanks to You, Lord, I know the meaning of success even when my hope is not attained, even when my failure turns to pain, even when I’m in the rain. Because with You beside me, the rain brings with it the nurturing of hope for a flower that becomes the beautiful from tomorrow’s sun, the Son who overcomes every letdown. 

When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God. —Charles L. Allen

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Visit Amazon.com to find the hard copy of my newest book, Pearls of Hope. If you read the book, I would really love to hear your findings, your thoughts, your review of the devotions. God bless you all.

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