When Hope Is Walking Right Beside You
BONUS DEVOTION! I’m writing over at Proverbs 31 Ministries today and thought you might enjoy it too. Enjoy your bonus devotion!
The phone rang. It was my ninth-grade son calling in the middle of the day…never a good sign. “Mom, I’m in the principal’s office. You need to come to school.”
I drove to school and found a stranger sitting in the office wearing my son’s clothes. He was facing a week of in school suspension. It was not a good week in the Jaynes’ household.
As moms, wives, and friends, we’re going to face some difficult times—that’s just part of the job description. We will experience disappointment, disillusionment, and discouragement when what we expected and what we experienced don’t line up. During those times we might wonder, God, where are You? I need a little help here. Now would be a good time for a miracle.
After Jesus’ resurrection, two of his old friends felt the same way. They were walking on the Road to Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, forlorn and forsaken. Jesus had been arrested and crucified a few days before. The guys had pinned all their hopes and dreams on the Messiah, and now He was gone. As they walked and talked, another man joined them.
“What are you talking about?” the man asked.
“Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know about what happened over the past few days?
“What things?” the man asked.
Then the two disciples gave a blow-by-blow account of Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion, and disappearance from the tomb. When they reached the village where they were going, they invited the stranger to join them for dinner. While at the table, Jesus assumed the role of host—gave thanks for the bead, broke it, and passed it to the men.
At that point, a flood of memories washed over the men…memories of another meal where Jesus broke bread and passed it to them. But perhaps what opened their eyes to this man’s identity were the nail-scarred hands that held the bread. The Bible says, “Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight” (Luke 24:31).
Jesus had been walking with the men all along, but they didn’t recognize him. Perhaps you’ve traveled down your own dusty road to Emmaus, with circumstances leaving you disillusioned, disappointed, and discouraged. If so, remember this my friend: just because we can’t see Jesus or sense His presence doesn’t mean He’s not there.
Just as surely as He was walking right beside his friends on their journey, He’s walking right beside us on ours. “Be sure of this:” He promises, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20 nlt)
Deuteronomy 31:8 tells us, “The Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” He gave His word. Jesus gave His life.
Jesus, thank You for walking beside me on my own dusty trail of disappointment. Just as you promised in John 14:20, I am in You and You are in me. I am so thankful there is no place I can go that is away from Your presence. In Your name I pray, amen.
We know being a mom in today’s culture is trying, tiring, and tremendously rewarding all at the same time. Discouragement weighs heavy. Loneliness looms large. Frustration tangles emotions. That’s why we need Christian sisters to lock arms with us on the journey—cheerleaders who shout you can do it, keep going, don’t give up! That’s why we need our Heavenly Father who says, I see what you’re going through, I’m right here with you, and I am so proud of you.
My new hardcover book, Momma Moments with God, is for moms in the thick of raising their kids. From birth all the way to the empty nest, these 90 devotions will feel like a warm hug.
If you’re a grandmother, you know someone who would love to have a copy!
Order before July 2, you can also receive a FREE Audio book narrative by moi. Click here for details.
© 2024 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved.
