June 17 - Even If It Takes Seven Times » Reasons for Hope* Jesus

Hope for Today: A Daily Devotion from Reasons for Hope*Jesus

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“And said to his servant, ‘Go up now, look toward the sea.’ So he went up and looked, and said, ‘There is nothing.’ And seven times he said, ‘Go again.'” 1 Kings 18:43

Six times Elijah’s servant looked toward the sea before he could see anything. The seventh time he saw a cloud — but no bigger than his hand. Yet that cloud, within a few hours, covered the Heaven with darkness and the earth with rain.

In like manner may a Christian suppliant be compelled to tarry long for the Divine answer. “Give me,” he may often say, “at least, some springs of water — some feeling, some sorrow for my sins.” Well, though at the sixth time of your bending the knees, God should not grant your request, and though at the seventh time there appears but one small drop swimming in your eyes, be not discouraged. That drop may prove a shower. The beginning of that may, at last, dissolve your whole heart to water. And, as there is a full joy for the thorough conversion of a sinner, there may lie a suitable measure of joy for one tear, nay, for one desire of a tear, of any one sinner who repents.

Pray much for others.
Look toward the sea and pray for those sailing on its bosom.
Look toward the land and pray for those crossing it to a better country.

Intercessory prayer is often a source of great blessing to us. God turned the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends.

Devotion by Karl Heinrich von Bogatzky (1690—1774)

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Do not be anxious about anything. (Phil 4:6)

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must rightly remember who is in control. Our God is sovereign over all things, including COVID-19. As Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) said, “The sovereignty of God is a soft pillow on which weary people lay their heads.”

Remember also God’s gracious promise, and that it is true and He is faithful to keep it: Hebrews 13:5 …”I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” The next verse remind us of the power that comes in trusting God and how we can live: Hebrews 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man [or COVID-19] shall do to me.

God loves us, and in Christ we find confidence and calm in times of uncertainty and trouble. When we trust in God, fear is replaced with faith, stress is replaced with strength, anxiety is gone and hope abounds, problems become opportunities, and we are able to receive the blessings God has for us in the midst of difficult circumstances. Turn to Jesus. He will lead you to the still waters and give rest for your troubled soul.

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast…Hebrews 6:19

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Be Ready Always...

to give a reason for the Hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15). When you can’t share the gospel with your words, share it by leaving tracts that tell people about God's grace.

When leaving a tract, always be diligent to pray about the short gospel message. Pray that it be found by someone who is in need of Jesus’ saving grace, and pray that the person will have a tender heart and open ears to receive the gift Jesus desires to give them.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, even a small tract can help in turning a broken sinner from darkness to light.