DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONAL: JANUARY 2 SEEING THROUGH YOUR DARKEST DAYS (2) SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 1: 5-7; 1 Samuel 2: 21; 2 Cor. 5: 7

“Hope is one of the principal springs that keep mankind in motion.” By Thomas Fuller

Loss of hope is like a thick black blanket spread over the eyes. It does not allow one to see an inch-length of distance. When hopelessness intercepts the mind, darkest days come into view and block the presence of brightness. As seen in yesterday’s devotional, those who focus on darkest days hardly see the brightness of their tomorrow. Observations have shown that many people become depressed about their future in January every year. These are people who walk by sight and not by faith and hope. For us Christians, the best to do when being clouded with problems and difficult situations is to develop hope-eye that sees through the darkest days. *The Bible cautioned against walking by sight. This talks of allowing what the eyes see determines the kind of hope to develop. Hope propels faith while faith propels positive actions.

According to Thomas Fuller, the hopeless people have no courage to move forward. Reason he said: “Hope is one of the principal springs that keep mankind in motion.” Yes, the month of January does ever overloaded people with uncertainties, depressions, not being confident to keep up with projects started etc.* But we have to see that, in any darkness, light exists. This means that by hope, what stands as darkness is not it. Most often, our best days are hidden in thick darkness by evil manipulations. Those who know the intrigue of the devil, especially the Christians, understand that their brightest days ahead are usually covered by the darkest days in the present. The darkest days do not last forever. In the darkest night, the almighty sun is hiding somewhere. At its appointed time to appear, the sun usually over power the darkness.

The beloved in the LORD, know this when you are in the darkest days, God is getting closer to deliver you. When God comes in to deliver you, He makes sure all your previous sufferings are compensated with greater blessing. When Hannah, the mother of Samuel was in her darkest days, her second (Peninnah) and children insulted her sour for years. Even the High Priest took her for a drunk when she was petitioning God. By the time God answered her prayers, Samuel was born. After Samuel, she had five more children (three sons and two daughters, see 1 Samuel 2: 21). Till date, no story about her second was heard again. My dear beloved, I encourage you to hold on to God in hope. He is about to remember you.

PRAYER:

Pray, asking God to grant you persevering spirit in time of your darkest hours till your brighter days. Tell God to intervene for you in the name of Jesus Christ.

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