ONE VOICE – ONE PURPOSE

Devotionals for International Women’s Day 2025 

Day Six of Seven

 ONE VOICE, ONE HOPE

By Beena Philip, Kottayam Town, Kerala, India

Question for Reflection: 

Have you ever gone through a situation in your life where you felt you were at the end of hope, with nothing more left to do, nowhere more to go, and everything seemed so bleak and hopeless, that you could feel a sinking darkness in your heart?

Romans 15:4

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”

The Scriptures in the Bible record the events that happened in the past, with the intention of teaching us endurance for our present struggles and giving us hope and encouragement. 

1 Samuel 1:1-28

Here we recall the story of an ordinary housewife, Hannah, who lived in Israel 3000 years back. Her husband Elkanah probably married his second wife Peninnah because, though he dearly loved Hannah, she could have no children for him. It was important in those days for a man to have sons to carry forward his lineage, to keep the family legacy, and ensure his identity and social status. Though Peninnah had many children, she was a rival who had no compassion for Hannah.

Things were pretty bleak for Hannah. Year after year she wept out of bitterness of soul, in pain, feeling cursed, hopeless that she could ever have children! Every time she watched Penninah’s children, and heard her rival’s insults being rubbed in like salt into a wound, “home” would have become equivalent to hell’s torment and torture for her!  In verses 9-18, we see Hannah pouring out her soul to the Lord at the temple, and after that prayer of faith and dedication, her face was no longer downcast. God heard her prayer, and blessed her with an amazing son Samuel, who would become Israel’s first prophet and last judge!

Hannah’s story gave me a lot of hope and transformed my attitude of weeping and crying bitterly to God about my son who left the church and went through mental illness. Though he is not completely healed from his condition, my face is no longer downcast as I learned to trust God, His promises, and His journey with my son. I look forward to the future; I am certain that God has great plans for him. I don't need to know or monitor any of the details involved. I had to let go of my desire to be in control and hand over control to Him, and understand that He is enough for me. The Scripture that I hold on to is Philippians 4: 4-7: 

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

In Christ, I receive the peace that passes understanding and the hope that never goes away. 

1 Peter 1: 3-9

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (emphasis added)

We have been provided with a living hope of resurrection, an imperishable inheritance, and salvation of our souls through the grace of Jesus. Our grief and trials are meant to refine our faith better than the fire that refines gold which still perishes.

For further reflection: 

1. Read Romans 5:1-5

   Suffering produces perseverance, character and hope. What character issue are you personally struggling with, and find it difficult to grow in?

   Pray and share with someone how you can change your perspective.

2. Read 2 Corinthians 2:1-11.

   What was Paul going through? How did he deal with the one who grieved him and others? 

   What are some difficult relationship issues you currently face, maybe with your husband, children, in-laws, leaders, employers,  employees, or others? Do you believe God can bring you healing if you persevere in and obey His word? Make a decision to pray about this 

3. Read Romans 15:13, Psalms 119:43-56.

   Make a list of the promises of God that you can trust in and hold onto so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

For further meditation: 

Hebrews 10:32-39, Hebrews 12: 4-11, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Isaiah 40: 29-31, Isaiah 46:3-4.

I am Beena Philip, currently serving as a Women’s Ministry Leader at Kottayam Church, Kerala, India. I became a disciple in 1994, entered the full-time ministry, and got married in 1995 to Shaijus Philip. We have been on mission teams and served in different places, mainly in Bangalore, India. We have three children. Our oldest is working in Chennai, our second one is undergoing training for serving in an NGO, and our youngest is doing her 10th grade year in school.