We must hold onto hope! Without hope, we risk falling into despair.
As families and friends of the incarcerated, we must hold onto hope no matter what challenges we face. Yes, the court may hand down a lengthy sentence. In the forefront of our thoughts we may think that we will never see our loved one in the free world on this side of eternity.
But with God nothing is impossible!
I met Joe who had two life sentences and never expected to have freedom. But he had an encounter with the living God inside prison and is now living in the free world on parole. He has his own business, a family, and a home.
Then I met Gene McGuire online who had a life without parole sentence. After almost 35 years, the Lord opened the prison doors for him with “time served” stamped on his paperwork. He now lives life as a free man serving the Lord by sharing his testimony.
The enemy wants to steal our hope! As a matter of fact Scripture tells us that he comes to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10) And one of the top things the enemy wants to take away from us is our hope in the Lord.
But the good news is that Jesus came so that we can have life more abundantly (John 10:10). Through Christ and the Word of God, we have hope. Let’s cling to the truth of God’s word to keep fanning the flame of the hope we have in Him.
Here are nine Scriptures to ignite (or re-ignite) your hope in the Lord:
“I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called–his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.” (Ephesians 1:16-18 NLT)
“Hope in the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.” (Psalm 37:4 NIV)
“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NLT)
“Since we have such [glorious] hope (such joyful and confident expectation), we speak very freely and openly and fearlessly.” (2 Corinthians 3:12 AMP)
“As for me, I will always have hope, I will praise you more and more.” (Psalm 71:14)
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by the long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT)
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 31:24 NIV)
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.” (Lamentations 3:25 NIV)
“No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.” (Psalm 25:3 NIV84)
Now let’s pray these Scriptures:
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6) Lord, I ask You for spiritual wisdom and insight that I might grow in my knowledge of You. I ask You to fill my heart with light so I can understand the confident hope You have given to me. Lord, I put my hope in You and keep Your ways. Lord, I place my faith in You, and my faith is the confidence that what I hope for will actually happen. I receive Your assurance about things I cannot see. Since I have such a glorious hope, with joyful and confident expectation, I speak freely, openly, and fearlessly. Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like a tree planted near the riverbank, roots running deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried about the drought. Their leaves stay green and never stop producing fruit. I will be strong and take heart, hoping in the Lord. For the Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame. As for me, I will always have hope, and I will always praise You more and more. In Jesus name, Amen.
