(Read Isaiah 41:10)
We often seek hope and strength from many sources—spouses, children, careers, or financial security. Yet, these things, while valuable, cannot provide the lasting power we truly need. Many pursue them, unaware they fall short.
For followers of Jesus, hope springs from a living fountain—an unending source of love and the promise of eternal life. Believing in Jesus doesn’t shield us from pain, evil, or hardship, but it gives us the faith to endure. It offers the assurance of life with our Creator and the confidence that one day, every tear will be wiped away, and every current suffering will be replaced with everlasting joy.
What does hope and strength from faith truly look like?
Ironically, it’s not always seen on the face of those who complain, criticize, or carry a victim mentality. True strength isn’t loud or bitter. In my experience, the emotionally strongest people I know are believers in Jesus. They’ve faced health challenges, family crises, marital struggles, addiction, and financial ruin. Yet, they haven’t lost hope.
Why? Because they know the One who willingly endured the greatest injustice in history—not for His own gain, but for the benefit of all of us. That kind of hope isn’t shallow; it’s rooted in deep, enduring faith.
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5
This verse not only calls believers to guard against the love of money—which breeds dissatisfaction, greed, and misplaced priorities—but also reveals the flaws of trusting in riches or anything other than God. True contentment doesn’t come from accumulating possessions but from trusting in God’s provision.
The most assuring promise in this passage is God’s declaration: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” It reflects the unchanging reality of God’s presence—He was, He is, and He always will be with us.
“I was fortunate to grow up in a Christian missionary church in Omaha, Nebraska,” my friend (D) shared. “I remember going to church with my mom and dad from day one. But you can’t inherit salvation. It was really the impact of our youth group that led me to believe. I asked God to be my Lord and Savior—I did all the ‘church stuff,’ including the Sinner’s Prayer—but, truthfully, I wasn’t taking God seriously at the time.”
“My wife and I tried various churches, but the big turning point in our marriage and relationship with the Lord came in Savannah, Georgia, in ‘94. We were caught off guard by the pastor’s wife—she radiated the glow of the Lord. There was just something different about her. I wanted what she had. Her vibrancy and spirit encouraged us to ask the Lord to be the center of our marriage and our lives.”
“That was a long time ago, and God has placed different people in our lives along the way. Sometimes, churches and people will disappoint you, but I thank the Lord for His promises and His Word.”
(D) is one of those rare, effervescent people you meet in life. When things are going well, his joy is evident. But when times are tough, his smile doesn’t fade. If anything, he leans even closer to Jesus. He’s a mature believer who sees God not as a tool to call upon in times of trouble, but as a beautiful Creator, ever-present and constant. From the first time I met him, it was clear that his relationship with Jesus was deep and personal.
“My worship is about reading about God’s Word, praying, and just talking to Him like I’m talking to you. I love listening to great music, hiking, and being out in God’s creation. I love seeing the beauty of His work—the quartz rocks, different plants, and the endless shades of green. I always think green must be one of God’s favorite colors. There’s so much creativity in the variety of ferns and plants as you walk through the woods. It’s impossible not to be in awe.”
“I know I’m truly saved because when I sin or grieve the Lord’s Spirit, I feel miserable. I find myself asking, ‘Lord, forgive me. Help me to be more like You.’“
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
This verse from John’s letter emphasizes the essential practice of confessing our sins to God. Confession is more than simply admitting wrongdoing—it’s a heartfelt acknowledgment of our sinfulness and a turning back to God in humility and repentance. It reflects an attitude of honesty, recognizing our deep need for God’s grace.
As (D) shared, “God promised He will forgive me, but this verse is not a license to sin.”
Through the cross, God removed the guilt and penalty of sin. Believers are no longer condemned but set free through Christ’s atonement. While justification happens once through faith, confession remains an ongoing practice. It’s how we maintain a close, honest relationship with God—acknowledging our daily struggles and receiving His continual grace and cleansing.
Believers like (D) understand that God’s forgiveness is always available when confession is genuine. It isn’t about human effort but about God’s unwavering faithfulness and the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice.
“Jesus has fulfilled the Old Testament. He is the Son of God—truly God—who took on human flesh, came to this earth, and paid for our sins. I believe He’s coming back for us again. His seal, the Holy Spirit, is within me. It’s the Holy Spirit that sets us apart from all other religions.”
When I asked (D) if there was a Scripture verse that uplifted and nourished his spirit, his answer was immediate: “That’s easy—Isaiah 41:10.”
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
This verse is one of the Bible’s most comforting and encouraging passages—a divine assurance from God offering strength, help, and support in times of fear and uncertainty. God begins with a powerful command: “Fear not.” Fear is a natural response to adversity, but God’s presence is the antidote. The promise, “I am with you,” assures believers they are never alone. His constant presence becomes a source of courage, even in the darkest moments.
(D)’s faith reflects a profound trust in this promise. He doesn’t let fear overtake him—instead, he surrenders it to God. He accepts and acknowledges God’s presence, remembers His faithfulness, leans into His strength, and draws courage from God’s “right hand”—a symbol of power, authority, and victory. (D) exemplifies the faith and trust in God that we are called to have. Despite facing unimaginable hardships, he never pointed his finger at God. Though I could see the weight of his stories, each one carried a lesson of hope and resilience.
“We lost our first son when he was just 25 weeks along. He was born prematurely, and sadly, he lived only 18 days before passing in the hospital. Of course, you ask, ‘God, why did this happen? Why did You allow it?’ I don’t fully know why, but I trust that we’ll see him again in God’s kingdom. I don’t know if he’ll be a baby or grown, but I hope that during the millennial reign, we’ll meet him, know him, and be part of his life.
“Another event that broke our hearts was when our younger son was born a little early and diagnosed with hydrocephalus—an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles of the brain. This excess fluid increases pressure inside the skull, which can lead to brain damage. They had to place a shunt in his head to drain the fluid and relieve the pressure. Thankfully, he’s 35 now and doing well.
“Because of the complications we faced with our two sons, we couldn’t have more children. There have been moments when we wished for more kids and grandkids, but we’re grateful for what we have. Maybe we make up for it by having dogs,” (D) added with a big grin. “I give extra love and attention to my puppies. They’re my fur babies.
“In ‘97, God spared my life at Fort Bragg. I was planning an operation for an upcoming exercise where we were scheduled to fly and capture video and imagery for data collection. It was time to board the helicopter and get our footage, but the weather wasn’t cooperating. The decision was made to push the mission back a week. Since I was going to be on leave that following week, my NCOIC (Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge) took the mission for me. Tragically, the helicopter crashed, and everyone on board died. I was so grateful that God spared my life, but my heart ached deeply because I knew and worked alongside those men.”
“That was a long time ago, but I’ve never forgotten. These stories aren’t uncommon around here. The Lord’s been so good to me. I’ve jumped out of airplanes countless times, and I’m one of the few who can say I’ve avoided back and leg injuries. I’m fortunate that I can still run and walk. I just thank the Lord for His protection. There are a lot of great American heroes in this area who have paid a heavy price physically.”
I asked (D), “How would you describe your faith walk with Jesus?”
“My faith walk has taught me that I’m not perfect, and I won’t be until I get to heaven. I try to be consistent—getting into God’s Word, listening to good worship music, and setting my mind to pray.” (D) continued, “When we get to know each other more than skin-deep, we realize that we all have issues. We’ve all faced moments where we wish we’d handled things differently. I pray that God’s Spirit gives me wisdom and discernment to navigate each situation.”
“Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and what matters most is that we’ll spend eternity in His Kingdom. Until then, we just need to reflect the love of Christ here on Earth. I try to remember that everyone—even unbelievers—crosses my path for a reason. But I often wonder, why doesn’t everyone see the truth, that they need a Savior? Why don’t they accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior?”
I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Revelation 21:22-27
In ancient cities, gates were closed at night for protection. But in the New Jerusalem, the gates will remain open because there will be no threats, danger, or fear. (D)’s faith-filled life mirrors this promise. Though he’s faced darkness, it hasn’t crushed him. He doesn’t live in the shadow of fear but walks in the hope of Heaven’s light.
“We’re never, ever going to die. Everyone will live forever—either in God’s Kingdom or separated from Him in hell if they haven’t accepted Christ,” (D) shared. “Maybe today is the day for the rapture. I don’t know. But the main thing is knowing Jesus and being ready to meet Him. I’ll be surprised if I live another 20 years without seeing King Jesus coming to take us home.”
(D)’s faith, hope, trust, and conviction in God has carried him over smooth seas and rocky roads. He has not and will not fall short. “What gives me hope is God’s promise of salvation. His Word is true. Those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved. And my hope isn’t just a wish—it’s a fact.”
I call you this morning to stop defining and limiting your future in terms of your past and start defining it in terms of your God.
I call you to recognize that God is greater than your personality. God is greater than your past experiences of timidity. God is greater than your “family of origin.” And God calls you to joyful fearlessness. The crucial factor in your fearless living is not your family but your God.
John Piper
Life Applications:
- Life is full of uncertainties. In these moments, fear and anxiety can be overwhelming. When fear creeps in, choose to trust in His promise: “Do not fear, for I am with you.” Don’t let worry control your hearts, surrender your fears to God, and know that He upholds you with His righteous right hand.
- There are times when we feel weak—physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Whether it’s enduring trials, making difficult decisions, or standing firm in our faith, we are not alone. His strength is sufficient, and His help is always available. Spend time in prayer, immerse yourself in Scripture, and seek encouragement from fellow believers to remind yourself that God is sustaining you.