Daily Devotional: Hope

The List of Hope

This morning as I was reading in the Bible, I began thinking about my list. No, it is not my
grocery list. No, it is not my “to do” list at home. It is not even my “to do” list for my work as
Children’s Director. I have a list of HOPE. This list inspires me to hope in God. It is a list of all the
great and awesome things God has done in my life. My list of HOPE came to my mind as I read
2 Samuel when God declares His covenant with David.

2 Samuel 7:8-9:” Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the
sheep, that you should be prince over my people of Israel. And I have been with you wherever
you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great
name like the name of the great ones of all the earth.”

We pick up part of David’s prayer of gratitude in verse 23:
“And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be
his people, making himself a name and doing for them great and awesome things by driving
out before your people, whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, a nation and its gods?”

I am fascinated with the fact that when God speaks of what He will do in the future, He often
brings attention to His mighty works of the past. God is saying, look what I have done in the
past for you. Of course, you can place your Hope in me for the future!

I have a list of all the great and awesome things God has done in my life. Here are a few on my
list of Hope.
1. When my husband, Jim was in Seminary, we were very poor. One week, we ran out of
groceries and my paycheck was not due for a week. Jim and I prayed to the Lord to
meet our need for food but accepting the possibility that God may want us to fast for a
week. A short time later we were startled with a knock on the door. Opening the door,
I saw our neighbor with two bags of groceries. She said she was leaving for out of town
and did not want this food to waste. Could we use this food? God met our need for
food!
2. One time our kids were growing out of their clothes. Knowing our financial pressure, I
prayed to the Lord about this. The next day a few bags of kids’ clothes were on my
doorstep. Thank you Lord for providing clothes!
3. Most recently, I needed to find a teacher to teach Sunday School. After many, many
calls, I gave up and prayed. Should have prayed sooner! After praying, a name
“popped” in my head. I called this person and they were delighted to say, “yes!” Thank
you Lord for your direction!

What are the great and awesome things God has done for you that inspires you to hope in
God? What is on your list of Hope?

For Parents to teach their kids:
1. Teach your children the meaning of Hope and how important it is. Teach them that one
of the ways we learn about God, is making a list of all the things God has done for us. It
gives us hope (confidence) that God will always help us.
2. Share with your kids regularly all the great and mighty things God has done for you.
3. Help the kids to begin to make their own list of Hope. Post it in their room or on the fridge.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation