Hope in the Lord is the safest place we can be.
Are you scared or fearful of events going on in our country? Or in the world around us? Are you ever concerned with our children growing up and the safety we once knew as kids being diminished?
I would certainly not classify myself as a fearful person in general, but there are definitely more times lately than ever before that I have had to check where my fear and hope are placed. Sometimes, it takes facing fear to find strength and hope in the Lord.
Hope in the Lord
Whether you’re desperate for hope now, or facing fear and needing a major boost of hope in your life, be encouraged! I’m sharing 3 promises of hope for you to hold on to and to remind you that hope in the Lord is the safest and most secure place you can ever be.
The world is constantly changing and not too long ago I found myself becoming tempted by fear and doubting whether things would turn around or if there was much hope in waiting for things to change. It’s hard waiting on the Lord at times and tempting to fall for fear and doubt.
It was in the place where I realized I was scared and desperate for hope. Sometimes we have to face fear to realize where exactly our hope lies. This quest has encouraged me greatly and I’m eager to share what I have learned!
Hope in the Lord Alone
We can hope for safety and protection, or that a miracle takes place, or that peace is reached quickly – which we surely must hope and pray for! But, ultimately, our hope must be found in the Lord.
Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah tells us that when we hope in the Lord, our strength will be renewed!
This is a promise.
When our hope is based on anything other than the Lord, we can get depleted because it is all based on shifting conditions.
There is no constant other than God.
Related Post: 5 Faith Habits When Trouble Consumes You
When we hope in the Lord, He will strengthen us to rise! His power and strength never diminish.
Why should we put our hope in God?
Like a lot of people, I’ve had a tendency to put my hope in God after exhausting all other measures. I’ve tried to control, manipulate, and put my hope in so many earthly things. This inevitably leads to letdown. Everything on earth has the ability to let us down.
But God. God is the one Source of hope that is solid, trustworthy, faithful, and dependable. He loves us with an everlasting love and longs to be gracious and compassionate to us. (Isaiah 30:18)
It was almost like a wake-up call to put my hope in the Lord. His promises are fail-proof. He created the world and knows everything about it. He knows what’s coming, He has redemption in place, and He fights for His beloved.
We were created to depend on God so that He could meet all our needs – which He eagerly desires to do so!
How to Have Hope in the Lord
If you have only 3 minutes a day to read your bible, I would tell you to open it to the book of Psalms.
Psalm 56 tells us how to hope in the Lord.
David is the author and it’s during the time the Philistines had captured him. He surely had reason to be scared.
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:3-4
Hope is linked to trust.
I love how we can relate to the individuals in the bible so much. David was scared, too. He acknowledges that he is afraid.
When he’s afraid, he puts his trust in God. Again, he says it: I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
This isn’t willpower.
In fact, do you see how he does it?
He says, “I praise God for what he has promised.”
He doesn’t focus on his fears or what he’s scared about; his focus is firmly fixed on what God has promised. He praises God and stands on God’s word.
We should do the very same thing.
Remember our promise from earlier?
Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
This is a powerful God we serve.
Related Post: When Worried, Arm Yourself With These Bible Verses
Promises When We Hope in the Lord
Below are 3 more additional promises we can stand on when we are scared. This will help us build our trust and our hope in the Lord.
Hope in the Lord PROMISE #1:
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7
Hope in the Lord PROMISE #2:
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8
Hope in the Lord PROMISE #3:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
I hope that in the days ahead we can follow David’s example and hold onto what God has promised. Not just declare these promises, but praise God for them as well!
What difference would that have in our lives when times are scary?
Related Post: How To Find God’s Presence In The Chaos
Those Who Hope In the Lord
As I’ve said before, those who hope in the Lord are in the safest, most secure place they could possibly be. Nothing can strip away what is anchored. Hebrews 6:19 tells us, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
Those who hope in the Lord also receive renewed strength, are carried on wings of eagles, and will not grow tired or weary. We have every promise of God lavished upon us. Nothing in this world comes close to the Hope the Lord gives.
Related: Beautiful Hope Coloring Pages
Hope In the Lord Verses
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Psalm 39:7 And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.
Psalm 119:114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.
Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love.
Psalm 119:81 My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.
Lamentations 3:24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Hope in the Lord Always
Finally, when we consider hope in the Lord in hard times and are tempted to put our hope into worldly measures, think about where your citizenship lies.
As believers, our true everlasting citizenship is in heaven!
But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. Philippians 3:20
Amen! Right!? We were made and created for our hope in the Lord – it can’t possibly be a part of this world!
I think C.S. Lewis says it best:
“Hope is one of the Theological virtues. This means that a continual looking forward to the eternal world is not (as some modern people think) a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do. It does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is. If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next.”
May our days be filled with hope in the Lord! Our only constant strength and power in times of uncertainty…for He who promised is faithful!
What promise will you hold on to today?
Related: 3 Promises of Peace to Cling To When Worried
Click here to download >> Free Peace Toolkit– Promises, Bible Verses, Truths to Claim, and Scriptures to write out so they can be inscribed on your heart.
Want to remember this? Post Hope In The Lord When Times Are Scary to your favorite Pinterest board! Share with your friends!
Related Post: When Worried Arm Yourself with Bible Verses
Related Post: Simple Truths When You Start to Doubt
Erin,
I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate your emails and constant words of encouragement. I am so grateful for the many resources you selflessly share with all of us to help us along life’s journey. Sometimes I feel as though I am hanging on by my fingernails…but I’m still hanging on. Praise God, I have not come this far to give up now. Since 2012, my husband and I have been through countless fires and storms and are still in a daily battle just to survive. God has shown up in mighty ways over these past eight years and for that we are grateful. We hang on to hope that He will still restore to us all that has been lost. We are weary and tired but daily seek His Word to sustain us and provide “our daily bread.” He never fails. He is ever present. I hope that one day, still, I can be the encouragement to others that you have been to me. Thank you for your love of our Lord and Savior. I pray His favor over you and He refreshes your soul as you pour out so much of it to others. Stay strong, Erin. Stay healthy. Know you are loved and appreciated beyond words. Juanita
My dear Juanita, I wish I could jump through the screen and just hug you! You have just immensely humbled and encouraged my heart for your testament of the Lord and I know he will continue to use you and your story to encourage many others! This brought tears to my eyes, and the words to the song, “If I Stand” by Rich Mullins are repeating over and over in my mind. You have to look it up! I know it will bless you! Juanita, you are dearly loved!! It’s a true honor to be your sister in Christ. ❤️