About two weeks ago, during a counseling session, I shared my post-grad and job search frustrations after applying to countless jobs. I said, “I keep getting my hopes up.” My counselor stopped me and asked, “Who or what is your hope in?” I paused because I wasn’t expecting that question. Surely my hope is in God… right? At least that’s what I tried to convince myself. But as I honestly reflected, I realized my hope had shifted to a job, financial stability, my parents’ provision, and myself. I drifted from surrender to, “If God’s not going to do it, I’m going to make it happen myself.” That is what Abraham and Sarah did with Ishmael, God’s permissive will (Gen. 16). What a dangerous place to be.
I repented, let go of my own agenda, and surrendered to God’s agenda, placing my hope in His good and perfect will for my life. Even when it made no sense to me, that is what faith is: the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). I kept tarrying, and it has not been easy. It has humbled me. There were many times I wanted to give up, but I remembered how faithful He has been and His track record of keeping His promises. I was reminded of the Israelites, who grew weary and complained on the way to the promised land because the journey was nothing like they expected. Like them, I had to depend fully on the Lord and His provision, down to what they ate – manna. The Lord gave them enough for each day, and they could not store more for themselves; they had to trust Him for the next day (Exodus 16:4-36). This required absolute dependence on the Lord.
I have been living out the same thing in my own life, and I had many reasons to complain, but I was convicted. Looking back over the past couple of years, I realized that God provided me with manna. I have never lacked. When my bank account was dry, when I had no money to my name, and when I had no savings, I still never lacked. There was never a day I went hungry; He provided me with a place to live and allowed me to complete school with no student loans. That could only have been God. No one else could take credit. He is Jehovah Jireh – the God who provides. He is Ebenezer, the “stone of help,” because thus far the LORD has helped us (1 Samuel 7:12).
As I surrendered to the Lord and let go of my own agenda, God opened doors for Hopeful Oasis. In June, I became a vendor at the Kingdom Creations Market, their first time in South FL. It was a wholesome experience, and I connected with many people while sharing the vision of Hopeful Oasis. Then, a month later, I spoke at Shalom Ministry’s Women’s Conference With A Twist (CWAT). God allowed me to be vulnerable, share my testimony, cry, and break down in front of everyone, and I received the breakthrough I needed. I brought the Hopeful Oasis journals with little expectation of selling much, and God exceeded my expectations and allowed me to sell out. I was beyond grateful for God’s manna.
I don’t know what challenges you may be experiencing as you read this devotional, but I want to encourage you that God has not forgotten you or the promises He has made to you. The journey includes setbacks, trials, and tribulations, but as you tarry, put your hope in God, not in your own might or willpower. Fully surrender to God, and He will direct your paths; His promises are YES and AMEN. Remember that God cares more about you and your character, and He uses trials and tests to perfect us so you can have a testimony. He is the author and the perfector of your life. His timing is perfect.
Key Verse
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” 1 Samuel 7:12
Journal Prompts
-
What are three moments in your life where you can confidently say, "The Lord has helped me"?
-
What prayers has God answered in ways you didn't expect?
-
Where are you tempted to rely on your own strength instead of remembering God's help?
-
Write a prayer thanking God for His faithfulness from your past while surrendering your future into His hands.
0 comments