Topic: Hope Is Believing in God’s Goodness [RICK WARREN Devotional 29 December   2022]

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Hope Is Believing in God’s Goodness

BY RICK WARREN — DECEMBER 29, 2022
FROM LIVING IN THE GOODNESS OF GOD

“I certainly believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:13-14 (NASB)

God has only good plans for your life. He never has, and he never will have bad plans for you.

Yet, many people miss God’s plan for their lives because they don’t trust God. Instead, they decide to follow their own plan, which leads to hopelessness and pessimism in the end.

The more you understand God’s goodness, the more hopeful you’ll be—because hope is anticipating God’s goodness. The only reason you have real hope is because God is good; without God’s goodness, there’s no rational reason for hope.

King David said in Psalm 27:13-14, “I certainly believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord” (NASB).

Everything God does for you, through you, to you, and in you is because he is good. God’s goodness in your life is never based on how good you are; it’s always based on God’s character, not yours.

Are you fighting discouragement, doubt, or despair? Then, take your eyes off your problems—and get your eyes on all the good things God has done in your life. You can even write them down and make a list! You’ll be amazed at all you come up with, and it will serve as a reminder to you in the days ahead.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (NIV).

Also Read: Open Heaven 29 December  2022 Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – SACRIFICIAL GIVING 

What does God’s goodness in your life look like? It looks like his blessings of sustenance, balance, resilience, guidance, confidence, assurance, influence, inheritance—and so much more. He makes all of this available to his children because of his grace and his good character.

That gives me hope—and it can give you hope today too!

Talk It Over

• Why do you gain freedom when you acknowledge that God’s goodness is based on his character and not yours?
• What can you do while you are waiting on God to deliver you from a difficult season? How can you gain courage as you trust God during these times?
• How can you learn about and understand God’s goodness more?

If you’ve never invited Christ into your life and experienced all of God’s goodness, you can start by praying this simple prayer: “Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I believe that he died for my sin and that you raised him to life. I want to trust him as my Savior and follow him as Lord, from this day forward. Please put your Holy Spirit in my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

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