1.13.2023 Devotions

The devotion for January 13th, 2023 is titled "My Hope is in the Lord." Jeremiah, the prophet, faced devastation as he saw Jerusalem in ruins. Despite this, he held onto hope by focusing on God's faithfulness. The scripture reminds us that the love and mercy of the Lord never end. Jeremiah chose to place his hope in God and his faithfulness, rather than dwelling on his circumstances. The questions ask who can help us refocus on God's faithfulness and what it would take for us to believe in God's faithfulness. We should remember to focus on God and his faithfulness when tempted to focus on the wrong things. for Friday, January 13th, 2023. The title of today's devotion is, My Hope is in the Lord. And today's scripture comes from Lamentations, chapter 3, verses 18 through 21. Everything I had hoped for from the Lord is lost. The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, yet I still dare to hope. The prophet Jeremiah was devastated as he looked over the ruins of Jerusalem. He had tried to warn his people of what was coming, but they wouldn't listen. So, how could Jeremiah still hold on to hope? Read on, Lamentations 3, verses 23 to 24 says, The faithful love of the Lord never ends. His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness. His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, The Lord is my inheritance, therefore I will have hope in Him. Jeremiah held on to hope by refocusing his thinking. Instead of continuing to mourn the loss of all of his dreams for himself and for his people, he chose to focus on God's faithfulness. All of his circumstances shouted hopeless, but he chose instead to hope in God. Ask yourself question one. Sometimes it takes a faithful friend to help us focus on hope during dark times. Who in your life can help you refocus on God's faithfulness? Question two. What would it take for you to live today in the reality Jeremiah experienced, the belief that God is faithful? Ask a God. Lord Jesus, help me to remember that my hope is based on what I focus on and that I need to focus on You and Your faithfulness. Help me remember that when I'm tempted to focus on the wrong things.