Ponder This: How are you inviting God to guide and teach you? What can you add to show God your hope is in Him all day long?
Scripture To Consider: Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. -Psalm 25:5
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Tom's Response:
True biblical hope is a foundational hope that leans on God's character and promises. It's an eternal hope that brings one peace. Paul tells us in Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Throughout my life, I have encountered situations I could not fix. Situations that created anxiety and the inability to control the circumstances. What I have learned over the years is that hope in God leads to peace. Paul shares how hope is made possible. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Paul also tells us in Romans 15:13 that the God of hope fills 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. Christ dying for our sins, trust in God's character, eternal life, and help from the Spirit give us the foundation for hope. No matter the situation, trusting God helps bring peace.
Karen's Response:
Oh, how I seek God’s guidance, and how I need him to be teaching me all day long. I have found that beginning my day by connecting with God is so important to me. My goal is to start each morning talking to God (even just for a few minutes) and becoming aware of His nearness. Morning breath prayers are one way I invite Him to guide and teach me. Before I even step out of bed, I try to take a few deep breaths in prayer. Here are some examples.
Inhale: Guide my steps Exhale: For I trust in you
Inhale: Lord, I need you Exhale: Thank you for walking with me (through this day)
Inhale: Give me eyes to see Exhale: Your goodness all around me
Inhale: Open my heart Exhale: So I can share your love
Inhale: Lord, teach me Exhale: All of your ways
Inhale: You live in me Exhale: Let me shine your light
Inhale: My hope is in you Exhale: always
One thing I would like to add is: ending my day looking at the ways God has answered my morning invitations. Often, I end the day with a short gratitude prayer before closing my eyes, but after pondering this question, I feel called to be more reflective in the evening. Asking myself:
Where did I sense God nudging me today?
What did God show/teach me today?
What did I learn about God’s character today?
How did God help me trust in him today?
What goodness of God did I see today?
What scripture did God remind me of today?
How did I share the love of Jesus today?
