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“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Hebrews 6:19)

Today we have on our hearts those who may feel all hope is lost. On a national scale this would certainly include the many who have been devastated by the fires in California. There's an abundance of national news on this.

But we also consider on the local level where people deal with discouragement and even despair such as a note we received from a reader, "I’m a Christian for 20 years and also a survivor of a lifetime living with depression and panic disorder. My pain is unbearable right now. I’m asking for your prayers that the Lord would lead me on a path of healing. I’m desperate and in despair. Please pray.”

Undoubtedly some of you reading this today are discouraged so it is the prayer of our heart that this brief word from "the encouragement of the Scriptures" may strengthen and renew your Biblical hope today! Let us consider the latter phrase in our daily text: "So that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope".

There’s a great line early in the classic Christmas film “It’s a Wonderful Life” where the angel Clarence is beckoned to help a troubled human. “Is he sick?”, Clarence asks. “No, it’s worse than being sick”, the head angel replies, “he’s discouraged.”

It’s a poignant scene and touches my heart any time we watch it. Some of our readers might just be experiencing a sense of hopelessness, so it is our prayer that today’s word of Scripture exposition will bring you fresh hope and encouragement today!

The Apostle Paul describes the unregenerate state as being, “without hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). In 1 Thessalonians he writes of those “who have no hope” (4:13).

C. S. Lewis insightfully summarizes the human condition:

One of the great inheritances of the child of God is “hope”. Notice the wonderful phrase that concludes our daily text, “through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Consider today the blessing of having hope, a confident assurance in God due to the veracity and dependability of His promises. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19).

As I read the Scripture text today the word "endurance" really caught my eye. "Endurance is activating hidden strength for my tasks by keeping my eyes on future rewards".

So, believing friend, let us continue to trust in the One who is ever dependable and let us rejoice together in the hope we have in Christ. That is the heart of being encouraged!

Be encouraged today! Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

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