Hope for the Person Starting Over - Your Nightly Prayer - September 8

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Hope for the Person Starting Over

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

“See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.” Isaiah 42:9

SOMETHING TO PONDER

When we walk through something hard, even tragic, our minds tend to replay it on a loop. Sure, we can divert our thoughts, seek counsel, and pray for the release of the memory, but fear tends to buoy the memories.

I find this especially true when there's a moment of rest in a new season. Maybe you’ve walked both mountains and valleys, and you find yourself at a place of reprieve. Yet, there’s a place in your soul that alarms when things are going seemingly well. You might ask, “Is the other shoe about to drop?” or “I don’t know if I can trust things to go well.”

Our passage tonight highlights a time in Israel’s history where they repeatedly failed to trust God and often grasped for idol worship. They were in a season of uncertainty and impending exile to Babylon. For the Israelites, new things were going to come by way of more pain and heartbreak.

The best part about our passage tonight isn’t the relief of former things passing or even the promise of new things coming. It’s the fact that God is declaring it. We have to pause and remember who God is. Let’s refresh ourselves!

God is faithful. (1 Corinthians 1:9)

He is steady, consistent, and unchanging. (Malachi 3:6)

His kindness and compassion are everlasting. (Lamentations 3:22-23) Our Creator delights in showing mercy and steadfast love. (Micah 7:18)

No matter what we’ve walked through, no matter the uncertainties ahead, we have this one promise: He’s with us. His presence in our lives offers His faithfulness, steady companionship, tender kindness and compassion, and unrelenting steadfast love. God reminds his people of the former things, which include all of His complete acts of mercy and faithfulness, to connect his people to Him for the new things to come. Tonight, can we claim the same word together? He’s seen what we’ve walked and He knows where we’re headed. Instead of waiting for the shoe to drop or the loop to replay, let’s allow God to rewrite the story of hope growing and faith deepening.

He’s faithful, and behold, new things are springing!

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Lord,

I surrender the loop that keeps replaying in my head. I submit any fear to you and put it under the authority of Jesus Christ. I pray that hope would arise and, in this season, grow my trust and intimacy with you. I lay myself down tonight as an act of complete surrender and pray for your will, your word, and your plan to reign in my life. Forgive me for the times I’ve taken control or have walked in fear. I pray for your peace, in the name of Jesus. I ask for protection from the enemy’s tactics and his lies, and I pray for your truth and wisdom as I discern your voice. Holy Spirit, be near tonight and refresh my soul in your goodness. Father, you are faithful, merciful, and steadfast in your love towards me. I pray for deep hope as I trust you with my future.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE ON

What loop are you replaying in your mind? Is there a lie from the enemy you need to surrender to the authority of Jesus?
Of the verses listed in our devotional, which verse and characteristic of God do you need the most tonight?
In your own words, thank God for the new things springing!

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: ©Sparrowstock

Shea Smith When Shea is not chopping tiny food up for her three tiny humans, or pitching Chipotle to her high school sweetheart-turned-husband, you can find her doing the following: Feeding her sourdough starter (aka 4th child) and baking bread. Putting her Master of Divinity to work by furiously typing about Jesus during naptimes. Posting encouragement and #momlife reels on Instagram. Conquering virtual hills on her Peloton. Renovating "the dream home" with her husband. Co-hosting her church's podcast. Homeschooling the littles. Leading a Barre class. Preaching, teaching, and storytelling. And finally, pretending she will keep her indoor plants alive...this time! You can connect with Shea on Instagram at @SheaHsmith, visit her website at www.sheahsmith.com, and keep up with her posts by signing up here.

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