Sharing Hope

Yesterday I had the privilege of leading a former Navy veteran, Wanda* to Christ.  Her journey was pitted with pain, betrayal and enough hurt to stain a landfill.  But what was equally troublesome to me was when she shared that she had met many Christian counselors and self-described Christians in her pursuit for help and their singular advice was to read her Bible.  Certainly it is important to read God’s Word.  But when one is wallowing in confusion what is needed most is not a homework assignment—one needs the clarion gospel message.

Wanda, lost, afraid, and desperately in need of love, had never received Jesus’ words, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).  No one had presented to her God’s beautiful invitation so simply and eloquently shared by Paul: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation” (Romans 10:9,10).  When Wanda heard how much God loves her and how Jesus wants her to release her burdens to Him, she eagerly invited Him to be her Lord and Savior.  My son Bryan, was able to share his testimony with her and to be with us as she prayed.  
           
 I was scheduled to meet next with a couple from church at Starbucks but texted them to came over to the house and meet Wanda. They were able to share how they experienced God’s love in their lives and the wife agreed to meet with Wanda and to help her grow in her new faith.  There were lots of tears and joy in our living room watching the Holy Spirit at work.  
 
Meditation
Psalm 31:24--Be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord.
 
Eleven years ago, on this day, I wrote a devotional eerily descriptive of what our nation is going through right now.  You can read it at:  https://www.firstcause.org/blog/insecurity.html.
David wrote in Psalm 31 a plea for protection.  In the midst of great distress, he declared his hope in God.  On the eve of its 244th birthday, America is locked in intense turmoil.  Wanda’s pain and uncertainty are mirrored in the faces of millions upon millions of our citizens.  When the country is on FIRE, what is needed is not God’s children complaining about circumstances, blaming enemies, decrying the decrepit state of our republic, arguing politics, etc.  What is needed is WATER!  
            
Jesus cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink!  The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him” (John 7:37,38).  Jesus is our hope, our solution.  We need to be sharing Jesus.   If we fixate on trouble we will reap fear.  If we follow and proclaim Christ we will reap strength and courage.  Right now, the Wandas need hope!  Jeremy Riddle sings the truth in his song, More Than a Friend, “Your love and your grace never fail. Your merciful touch always heals.  You bring joy to my soul.”  
 
Inspiration
Hope does not depend on what’s happening around your boat.  Hope depends on who is in your boat.—Skye Jethani in with
 
*Not her real name
 
©2020 Daniel York ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)