Devotional – Monday, August 3, 2020

If you know me, you know that I love football! And you should have known that one of my devotionals just had to have a football analogy attached.
My Aunt Billie, Uncle DG, and cousin Boo, have had LSU season tickets in the south end zone since the 50s when Billy Cannon made his famous run on Halloween night en route to a Heisman trophy.
They brought me to games as a child, and all through my growing-up years.
When you went to a game with them, you did not leave early. EVER! It didn’t matter if it was 100 degrees outside, if it was snowing, or if a hurricane was brewing … we stayed. If we were losing by 50, we stayed. And we cheered. There was always hope for a comeback! When my Aunt Billie turned 94, she transferred those tickets to me, and that is where we still sit today.
We have sat through some pretty dismal seasons. The year 1989 started six straight years of losing seasons. As bad as the previous season was, there was always hope at the beginning of the next season.
For the most part, human beings are hopeful. We are created and designed to hope.
Did you wake up this morning hopeful? Did you wake up hopeful that this school year would be successful? Did you wake up hopeful the amazing work you’ve done in your job will pay off? Did you wake up hopeful that there would even be a football season?
Our LSU Tigers have come a long way from those six long years of losing seasons. All of our waiting and hoping were worth it as they are now the 2019 National Champions and are being called the greatest team in NCAA history!
The question is not whether or not we are hopeful, but what we hope in. Where then is your hope being placed — in what and in whom?
The definition of hope is, “To want something to happen to be true and think that it could happen or be true.” A second definition is, “To expect with confidence: trust.”
When people talk about hope, it’s usually in uncertain terms: “I hope my favorite restaurant is open.” “I hope Santa brings me what I want for Christmas.”
But as Christians, we know hope in an unchanging and eternal Christ is a certain thing. We’re told to, “Put our hope in Christ.”
Not hope for.
Hope in.
When we hope in, we’re putting our hope somewhere — in someone. In a safe place.
What is your hope? Whatever it is, take it to Jesus. Wait patiently, and be joyful!
Hebrews 6:19, says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
Hope in God is a powerful force that will keep us anchored no matter what storms come our way.
Life’s struggles invite us to discover where we put our hope. No matter how miserable your present circumstances appear, or how hopeless things seem, if Jesus is your Savior, and your hope is in Him, you can be ready for whatever life brings you!
Amen and Geaux Tigers!
Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill 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.”
Offered by Pam Comeaux
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