By Grace Through Faith

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1

When we are faced with unmet expectations or challenging circumstances in our lives, it may feel like we are traveling through a desert, with no end in sight. As each of us continuing to travel the path daily, we may become drained, tired, and exhausted. You may start to doubt yourself or God, questioning where your hope lies. You may question your purpose or start to lose hope in your future.

Thankfully, within the stories in the Bible, we can learn that we are not alone in feeling any of these ways. Stories about people like Ruth, Noah, and Hagar show us that they struggled. They doubted. They cried and felt forgotten. They felt like they were walking far and long journeys, not knowing what the greater plan was, at times feeling lost and alone.

Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the Desert of Beersheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there, she began to sob. God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. – Genesis 21: 14-20

While their stories show us that we are not alone in feeling lost, they teach us why we continue to keep going. As they continued to show up where God had placed them and called them, God met each of them in their doubts, worries, fears, and hardships.

God provided Ruth with kind community as she felt like a stranger in a new place. God provided Noah with strength and physical materials to create the ark over a long period of time. God provided Hagar with water for her and her son to drink as they continued their journey and reminded her that she was seen and loved by Him.

Their stories not only remind us of the perseverance and obedience displayed by each of them, but their stories remind us of God’s grace and unchanging character that is present during the trials we face. God reminds us through their stories, as well as many others in the Bible, that He will provide for us. He sees us, hears us, and has purpose for each of us while we are breathing on this earth. He refreshes our hearts to know who to put our hope in: Jesus.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. – Hebrews 11:13-16

Jesus will return one day to this earth and make all things new, either while we are here on this earth or after we are gone. However, we don’t have to wait until that day to live abundantly with Christ on this earth.

While there are many broken parts to this world, there are still so many good things to be found in our daily lives. We must be mindful and practice gratitude during the joys we find in our lives.

This week I want to encourage you to show up and be open to where God has you. Place your hope in the Creator who cares deeply for His creation, trusting and believing that He has great things planned for you.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. – 1 Peter 2:9

With love,

Claire