Max

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

~Lamentations 3:23-24 ESV

A sunrise of hope overtook the darkness as Max looked eastward towards the ocean.

Max had just experienced the worst night of his life. Susan, his beautiful bride of twenty-five years, had passed away. As he sat on the pier, he recalled Lamentations 3:23-24. Even though his heart broke, Max knew God’s mercies would empower him to continue. For that reason, Max rose and returned to his beach house.

Blessed be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

                         -1 Peter 1:3 ESV

Hopelessness

I have experienced many disillusions, calamities, and grief from people. I have also experienced the death of loved ones and friends. Consequently, one can fall into hopelessness with all the disappointments in life. 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

                          -Proverbs 3:5 ESV

Hope

In your despondency, remember the sunrise of hope will always take over the dark sky. Noah experienced dark and overcast skies for forty days and forty nights before he saw his beautiful rainbow of hope. The Israelites were in bondage for 430 years in Egypt before God sent their hope in the form of a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Max found hope by reading the Bible as he sat on the pier.

In your times of desperation, what shape do you think your sunrise of hope will take?

Lord Jesus, I thank you that I can reach out to You for help in my times of desperation and hopelessness. I pray I will always put my hope in You as You lead me to the promised land with a sunrise of hope. Amen

Genre: Anecdotal story–Fiction; Body of devotion–Non-fiction

Copyright 2023: A Sunrise of Hope: Ed Chappelle: All Rights Reserved