At times it takes real courage to hope in the Lord! David knew this well. Many, many times he was surrounded with troubles on all sides. His enemies rose up against him, his family betrayed him, and his wife even mocked his worship. Nevertheless, he exhorts us, "Be of good courage"! He tells us that God will give our hearts strength to keep hoping in His goodness.

Recently, I have been in a battle of the mind. The very hope I have written about his month had become seemingly unattainable for me. The enemies of my soul and flesh had risen up all around me. But, the Word of the Lord stands firm! "When the enemy comes in like a flood the Lord will lift up a standard against him!" Isaiah 51:19 The Spirit of the Lord is the One who puts our enemies to flight. However, in verse 20 we also read that the Lord comes to those who repent of their sins!

It takes courage to face our sins. When we do there is a strengthening that comes to our hearts. It is in the cleansing and the purifying that we find our hope. We discover the depth of our need for a Savior and we truly begin to understand that He alone is our hope for salvation, deliverance, restoration, and provision.

Be strong and take heart today. Hope in the Lord. He is your strong tower of defense against your own sins and the enemies of your soul.

Let's Pray: "Search my heart, oh Lord, and know my sin. Cleanse me and make me whole again. In you alone I place my hope. In you alone I trust. Thank you for being the strength and the courage of my heart."