Sunday Sermonettes | Meet the God of Hope and Encouragement

Sunday Sermonettes #061

We easily get discouraged.  Let us forget its causes and focus on the God of hope and encouragement. God created us with a purpose and he desires that we fulfil his calling on our lives.  Therefore he gives us hope and encourages us.

First among his act of hope is the forgiving mercy shown to us through the blood of Jesus on the cross. Whatever be your past God is willing to lift you up from all that burdens your memories. The cleansing power of the blood of Jesus is complete and without limit. 

Then he paints for you what you can be.  Often we settle for far less than what God can do through you and me.  So he encourages you and me through many promises. “I am with you always,” is one among many promises that God has made.

How does God encourage us through his promises in the Bible? It is no magical book but it is a book that is alive. It can speak to you when you read it with a humble attitude. The Spirit of God can breathe life into the words. And they shall empower you. 

It shall have a specific word and guidance for your context and situation. When you read it regularly, God gets a chance to speak to you. Then the prophetic words in the Bible, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it,'” will come true for you.

So if you are discouraged look to God’s Word and dare to believe what it says.  It has the power to break doors open and create new opportunities which did not exist before.  

See God is a God of redemption, restoration, renewal, and refreshing. Though the heartbreak of previous years weigh heavily upon you God can move in quickly to restore what the locusts have eaten away.

Then you too can say, “You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.” (Psalm 30:11 Amplified Bible).

My dear friend, God is not going to forsake you for you have trusted in him.  Life might not be easy.  You might face many struggles. But now, right this moment, God is breathing courage into your heart to face the storms and rise up higher on the wings of hope and encouragement.

What better way to conclude this thought than the words that God spoke to Joshua to encourage him to lead the people: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 Amplified Bible).

Just because you love God and trust him does not mean that you will never be afraid, never feel forsaken, never feel hopeless, never feel discouraged. As a human being you will pass through phases in life when you feel absolutely lonely and fearful. It is then that God comes near you whispering hope and courage. Yes, your God is the God of hope and encouragement.