Eyes Open to Hope
By Bianca Lima Silva
São Paulo, Brazil
Editor’s Note: We end 2022 with a five-day devotional series written by several sisters in ICOC churches in Brazil. May these devotional thoughts encourage your hearts as we enter 2023!
Many times in our lives, we go through times in the desert where we feel lost and we don't know what God has planned for our future. And when we pray, we don't get an answer. This could be frustrating.
Negative thoughts take away our hope for the future. And any form of praise to God becomes only words that come from our mouths.
At this moment, we have the tendency to become ungrateful toward God for not having our desires and dreams fulfilled.
In Psalm 126, Israel has returned from exile, and they were building God's temple. But they were discouraged because they wanted to take care of their own dreams and desires.
Beginning in verse 4 the psalmist says:
“Turn again our captivity, O Jehovah, As the streams in the South. They that sow in tears shall reap in Joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him”
Psalm 126:4-6 (ASV)
When Israel made the construction of the temple a priority, God filled them with joy.
Many times when we look out only for our own interests, we put God's kingdom aside, and we become discouraged because God doesn't bless our dreams.
But when we seek first the kingdom and give ourselves to it with all we have, serving and using our gifts, God takes care of what is important to us, because it is He who fills us with hopes and dreams.
In verses 1 to 3 of the Psalm, the psalmist remembers the deliverance that God brings to His people and the abundant joy that they had.
He says:
“When Jehovah brought back those that returned to Zion, We were like unto then that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing: Then said they among the nations, Jehovah hath done great things for them. Jehovah hath done great things for us, Whereof we are glad.”
Psalm 126:1-3 (ASV)
In the middle of discouragement, the psalmist remembers the things that God did for them.
As we face discouraging moments and difficult times, let us try to do the same. Let us remember all the incredible things God has done in our lives. This will help us be grateful to Him.
Let us pray as the psalmist does, and plead to God that His spring of the water of life will fill us with joy and hope, because He gave His son for us so that we could have joy in Him.
Questions for Reflection:
- What is a scripture that helps you to have hope? Take some time to meditate on it today.
- As 2022 ends and 2023 is about to begin, what hopes do you have for the new year?
4 Comments
Jan 1, 2023, 6:40:39 PM
Melissa - Thank you Bianca. Psalm 77 is a scripture that helps me have hope. As well, Romans 12:1-21 helps me climb out of any hole I feel I have either fallen into or dug myself into. However difficult life is or how discouraged I may feel, God’s will is something much bigger than my discouragement. Filled with everything good, perfect and pleasing, His will in any situation gives me hope. Thank you again and I hope you have a beautiful 2023. Prayers and love from a sister in Boise, Idaho, USA.
Dec 31, 2022, 3:16:36 PM
Wendy Hislop - Dear Bianca, Thank you for your devotional, and helping me to have a plan for 2023, to be fruitful, record a song for god, and write devotionals.
Dec 31, 2022, 9:41:31 AM
Stephanie - Thank you for the daily devotional thoughts. A scripture that gives me hope is Galatians 6:9-10.
Dec 30, 2022, 9:30:15 AM
Nico - Thanks for the reminder! It's important to remember all that God has done...especially when we are going through hard times. Happy Holidays from Canada!