I guess you never know where inspiration will strike. I read that the theme for this year’s Lenten devotions would be Hope. Shortly after seeing that, I picked up the newest edition of the South Carolina Wildlife magazine and read these words in the opening letter by Robert H. Boyles, Jr. Director of the SC Department of Natural Resources. He quoted his grandfather’s regular prayer thanking God for “past blessings, present bounty and future hope.” What beautiful words.
Yes, the words are beautiful, but where does our hope come from?
Later that day I opened my daily devotional book and there was the story of Zacchaeus. The story is so familiar to us. Zacchaeus is a hated tax collector and no person any self-respecting Jew would be around. One day Jesus is coming to town, and Zacchaeus, being a very short man, climbed a tree to get a better look at Jesus. Jesus saw him, saw his need, told him to come down and that he, Jesus, would come to Zacchaeus’ house to eat with him. We know it was a life changing event for Zacchaeus. What we might not think about is the tree. God planted the tree in that particular place to be there that day when it was needed. God knew years before what the need would be, and God provided.
The words to the old familiar hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” keep running through my mind:
“Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided; great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!”
Prayer: Lord, help me place my hope in your great faithfulness. You know my need, and you will provide. It may not always be what I think I need, but you will provide what I truly need. In Jesus name I pray.
Amen.
Sandie Cone