Nana’s Nook: HOPE in the Lord

Good morning, friends. Last week we focused on the topic of trust:

Trusting in the Lord to lead us safely in this journey of life we are all on.
Trusting Him for direction. Trusting Him for guidance.
Trusting in the fact that He loves us and holds us by the hand as we face difficult obstacles in our path.

This past week, I read an encouraging devotional in the book Joy For the Journey. It ties in well with what we looked at last week, but also introduces the topic of our focus this week in this devotional and on Nana’s Nook on Facebook. The word of the week is HOPE! It is my HOPE that these devotional thoughts will encourage you in your own walk with the Lord this week.

From Joy For the Journey:

“Whatever the circumstances that bring a loss of your life direction, there is still reason to maintain a sense of hope. This kind of hope is built on trust in your Creator. He holds you up and has a plan for your life. He has your present and your future in His hands. Take comfort in that knowledge!”

Ryan Stevenson has a new song out called With Lifted Hands. You will find the lyrics posted below, but may I encourage you to take a listen to the song today. It will encourage your heart and fill you with HOPE! Rejoice in this truth today: Christ will satisfy all of the longings of your heart as you surrender to Him with lifted hands! Days yet to come, days in the past, all of your days! He has plans for you, plans to give you HOPE and a future!  (Jeremiah 29:11)  Praise His holy name forever!

With Lifted Hands

I have tasted
All that this world has to offer
The here and gone that leaves you wanting more
But can’t satisfy
Father, forgive me for taking so long to see
That You’re all I need

With every heartbeat in my chest
Lord, I surrender all that I have
The days yet to come, the days in the past
I’m giving You all I am
With lifted hands, with lifted hands

You show me mercy
When I’ve done nothing to deserve it
You see the best in me beneath the dust
Because that’s how You love, that’s how You love
You rush through my veins
I’m wrecked and I’m changed and
My soul will sing

With every heartbeat in my chest
Lord, I surrender all that I have
The days yet to come, the days in the past
I’m giving You all I am
With lifted hands, with lifted hands

Heaven or grave
There is…
Heaven or grave
There is no place
I can go to escape
Your love, no-no
Heaven or grave
There is no place
I can go to escape
Your love!

So with every heartbeat in my chest
Lord, I surrender all that I have
The days yet to come and the days in the past
I’m giving You all, all that I am
I’m giving You all, all that I am
With lifted hands
With lifted hands
With lifted hands
With lifted hands

Songwriters: Christopher Stevens / Ryan Stevenson