HOPE HAS A SONG
Jan 2 12:20 AM

HOPE HAS A SONG

Jan 2 12:20 AM
Jan 2 12:20 AM

“This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:21-23 (NKJV)

The book of Lamentations is a poetic lament written by the prophet Jeremiah while he witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile of God’s chosen people. It is a book laden with grief, painting a vivid picture of ruin, loss, and heartache. Lamentations embodies a nation’s sorrow as Jerusalem, the heart of God’s chosen people, is burned to ashes, and women and children are led away into the hopelessness of the Babylonian exile. Yet, nestled here, right in the middle of the book, is a spark of light—a reminder that even in the deepest sorrow, hope has a song. Jeremiah’s words, “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope,” rise up like a melody from the ashes. His bold declaration reminds us that God’s mercies are new every morning, and His faithfulness will never change.

LOSING HOPE

I can’t read these verses without reflecting on my own journey—a time when I thought hope had no song at all. When I was 19 years old, I found myself homeless, sleeping on a park bench in the heart of Atlanta, near the college I had just enrolled in. I was broke, hopeless, and filled with despair. Each day, I would carry my luggage to the Student Center and ask a few kitchen workers if I could leave my bags while I attended my classes for that day.

During the day, I worked hard to keep up appearances, trying to hide my situation from those around me. I’d retrieve my luggage in the evenings, grateful for whatever snacks those in the kitchen were kind enough to allow me to eat for free. But then, at night, when the Student Center closed, my world grew cold and dark. I’d sit alone on the steps and wonder if I had made a mistake coming to Georgia to go to school and if I would be okay throughout the night. By 1 a.m., I would gather my luggage, head to the park, and find a bench or patch of grass to sleep on.

Lying there under the vast expanse of the night sky, I couldn’t help but feel a deep, abiding sense of despair and hopelessness. Questions swirled in my mind: Had God forgotten about me? Did He even have a plan for my life? Did He know where I was? My anxious thoughts became the only lullaby that would lull me to sleep. In those moments, it felt as though hope had abandoned me. I couldn’t imagine that hope could still “sing.” Even though I was a minister and had preached to others, in my own heart, I didn’t think that hope existed. In my head, I knew better, but my heart struggled to feel what my head knew to be true.

FINDING HOPE

But God hadn’t forgotten me. In the midst of my suffering, small acts of kindness began to weave their melody into my life. A few classmates would offer me their couches to rest on in the dormitory lobbies. Someone would hand me their key pass so I could wash my clothes at the end of the week. Others offered me food or a little money to grab a bite to eat in the Student Center. At the time, these gestures seemed like drops in a bucket. But now I realize they were melodies of hope—softly, yet powerfully—singing their song in my heart. I refused to fall into despair. Though I cried myself to sleep and hid my face from some of the other kids because I was too ashamed to let them see me sleeping in the park, I never gave up. I never stopped humming hope’s song in my heart.

MY SONG OF HOPE

Every morning, even as I woke up on a park bench, God met me with new mercies. His faithfulness was there, even when my circumstances said otherwise. He surrounded me with people who reflected His compassion, people who reminded me that no matter how dark the night seemed, the dawn was just around the corner. To me, those days were strangely, but wonderfully, precious days. They became permanent bricks in the foundation of what made me fall in love with God. While on that park bench, hope found me. Hope found me not through money, rescue, or an immediate change in my circumstances. No, hope found me with a little song:

“When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, ‘It is well, it is well, with my soul.’” This is the song that chased away the darkness for me. This is the melody that brought me hope.

The truth is, God’s faithfulness doesn’t always come the way we may expect it to. Sometimes, it’s the quiet voice of a stranger’s kindness, or the untraceable strength to get back up after falling down, or maybe even the courage to keep going when all seems lost. The song that hope sings in your heart may not be loud, but it is always persistent. It echoes through the chambers of our hearts, reminding us that no matter how dark it gets, we are not consumed because God’s compassions will never fail.

THE PURPOSE OF HOPE

As I look back, I see how those days on the park bench played a significant part in the foundation of my life’s ministry to homeless, hurting, and helpless individuals and families. He was my strength when I was weak, my light in the darkness, and the steady rhythm of hope that kept my heart from breaking. I learned that even in the most difficult seasons of life, the song of hope can still be heard if we just learn to listen close enough.

Today, you may find yourself in a season of ruin or despair. Perhaps you’re lying awake at night, questioning God’s plan, wondering if He sees you. Let this truth rise within you: His mercies are new every morning. His compassions never fail. Hope’s song is still singing, even if it’s just a faint melody in your heart.

Remember, hope doesn’t deny that your pain is real; it simply declares that God’s love is greater than your pain. No matter how dark the night, His faithfulness can’t be shaken. Every morning, He offers us a fresh start, renewed strength, and a reason to keep going.

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness that never wavers. When I am overwhelmed by despair, remind me that Your mercies are new every morning. Help me to hear the song of hope that You are singing over my life. May I trust in Your unchanging love and find strength in Your compassion. You are the anchor of my soul, and I rest in the promise that You will never leave me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

DAILY SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE

Find a quiet moment each morning this week to reflect on God’s new mercies for the day. Write down three things you are grateful for and meditate on Lamentations 3:21-23. Let these truths renew your hope and frame your day with gratitude and trust in God’s faithfulness.

Then, consider how you can be a melody of hope to someone else, whether it’s through a kind word, a helping hand, a prayer, or just a smile. Let God use you to remind somebody else that hope has a song.

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Deborah Harris- hatman

Thank you Pastor Harris and Lady Monica.
I love you.
Deborah Harris- Chatman

Posted on Mon, Jan 1, 2024 @ 1:13 AM CST

Le Williams

What a beautiful lesson to begin the new year! "I WILL WAIT ON THE LORD" ... Worshiping Him every morning and throughout the day, thanking Him for every blessing and knowing Him more ... Working to use the gifts He's given me to serve ohters and give Him glory ... and Wonder in the splendor of His goodness and love! Yes, I will wait on the LORD!

Posted on Mon, Jan 1, 2024 @ 7:44 AM CST

Beverly mccarthur

Beautiful devotion, a blessing to my husband and myself,thankyou

Posted on Mon, Jan 1, 2024 @ 7:46 AM CST

Randy Brewer

Great message! Thank you!

Posted on Mon, Jan 1, 2024 @ 8:56 AM CST

LaToya

Thank you for starting out this year with this blessed inspiration. I have been in a "waiting " season for several years now BUT GOD in the wait has always given me everything I needed. I'm most Grateful for this ministry and I'm looking forward to what amazing things God will reveal in 2024!! Thank you for being a BLESSING

Posted on Mon, Jan 1, 2024 @ 9:07 AM CST

Melissa

Dream became reality
In one of my many dreams, the spirit said, “Melissa, there is nothing you can do for this situation at the moment, this will take time”. It hurt me in my dream that I could not help my love one -that the separation of a loved one would grieve me so deeply; but because the spirit said it would take time, I’m patiently waiting. And during the weakest moments, at the most impromptu time, The Father allows droplets of dew (pictures of loved one) to keep me nourished while I’m waiting .

Posted on Mon, Jan 1, 2024 @ 9:12 AM CST

Efrem Sims

Thank you and your family for the great work that you all do for the lord God bless you all

Posted on Mon, Jan 1, 2024 @ 11:14 AM CST

Charles Turner

I use to try to rush GOD for what I needed but HE told me to wait on HIM for my needs. Ao I waited and HE gave me what I needed and more. I encourage everyone to wait on the LORD and HE will show up and showout. I thank the LORD for all HE'S DONE and all HE'S going to do.

Posted on Mon, Jan 1, 2024 @ 11:31 AM CST

Derious Howard

I have been on waiting for a outcome from a situation for 12 years and counting. I thought that should have been resolved by now but GOD said wait some more because in due season that situation is going to reap a harvest. So I am standing on that promise.

Posted on Mon, Jan 1, 2024 @ 4:44 PM CST

Frances

The plant analogy is awesome and it blessed soul,!

Posted on Mon, Jan 1, 2024 @ 8:01 PM CST

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