Hope In The Lord

Once, before going into battle, Alexander the Great began making elaborate preparations for a large military operation. He was so uncertain about the outcome of the battle that he gave away his personal possessions. One of his men went to him in protest and said, “Sir, you are giving away everything you have!”

“Everything,” said Alexander, “but hope.”

Overwhelmed with sickness and facing death, David cried out, “My hope is in You! Save me from all my transgressions!” He realized that in spite of his vast wealth and power he was bankrupt and powerless over his life. He could do nothing to save himself.

But when David came to the end of all that he had, he found himself at the beginning of what God had – the power to deliver him. “Save me,” he cried, “from all my transgressions.” His entire life must have passed before his eyes, frightened him into a sense of reality and left him in a state of despair and hopelessness.

This verse contains one of life’s most important messages. David, and each one of us, need to be “saved from our transgressions.” Most of us recognize that fact. Knowing and facing that fact, however, is not enough. We must also accept the fact that life is beyond our control – not only our health but the number of days God will grant us. Like David we must be prepared to face death and judgment.

God used sickness, fear and aging to get David’s attention to face death. God uses many different means to get our attention. What’s God doing in our life today?

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for Your love and the many ways You use to reach us and deliver us from our sins. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 39:7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.”