Grace Fox - Fresh Hope for Today: Devotions for Joy on the Journey

Fresh Hope for Today: Devotions for Joy on the Journey

Copyright 2022 Grace Fox

Published by Aspire Press

An imprint of Tyndale House Ministries

Carol Stream, Illinois

www.hendricksonrose.com

ISBN: 978-1-64938-055-5

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The views and opinions expressed in this book are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily express the views of Tyndale House Ministries or Aspire Press, nor is this book intended to be a substitute for mental health treatment or professional counseling. The information in this resource is intended as guidelines for healthy living. Please consult qualified medical, legal, pastoral, and psychological professionals regarding individual concerns.

Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, Copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB), Copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Book design by Cristalle Kishi

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Dear Friend,

Welcome aboard, fellow traveler. Im so glad we can take this faith journey together. Its comforting to have a companion when the road on which we walk feels lonely or steep. Its reassuring to hear the stories of others who have gone before us and know the way. And its encouraging to discover, or be reminded of, truths from Gods Word that shed light on our path, especially when it takes an unexpected detour.

No matter where our journey leads, we can know for certain that God goes with us and cares for us. We can face the road ahead with hope for a good outcome under his sovereignty. His promises to guard, guide, and give us every reason to choose and experience joy. My prayer is that the words on each page will restore your hope and renew your joyand do so abundantly.

Dear God, thank you for providing travel companions for this journey called life. Please lead my friend along the path youve chosen. Grant strength when the way feels wearisome and peace when it perplexes. Give hope on dark days. Grant joy in sunshine and in shadow. I pray this in the power of your name with thanks in advance. Amen.

Know you are loved,

The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.

Psalm 37:23 nlt

My husband (whom Ive nicknamed Sailor-Man) and I left our marina, intending to spend a week-long working vacation on our boat-home before returning to help our son with a project. Our calendar cleared when our son canceled his plans.

Rather than return to our marina, we decided to combine working from the boat with traveling to the area where we used to live, while stopping to visit friends in a few coastal communities along the way.

One get-together was especially meaningful. Wed known Tom and Linda for twenty-five years and shared a lot of history. We recalled fun memories and swapped current stories for an hour. Fellowship was sweet, and goodbyes came too soon.

Tom passed away nine days later. The news shocked us, but it didnt surprise God. He knew what was coming. I believe he gave us the idea to take a working vacation so that wed continue traveling up the coast when our son canceled his plans. One decision led to another, so we could visit Tom once more before he moved to heaven. God was in every detail.

How have you seen God in the details when your plans changed unexpectedly?

God, take my journey in the direction you want, so your purposes can be accomplished.

Who is God? He is the Lord. He is the Sovereign Ruler of the universe. He knows what youre feeling and why. He knows what you need, and he will give it as you can receive it. He is a rockstrong, bold, mighty, immovable, unyielding in power. The Lord your God will guide you right.

Peter M. Wallace

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:1618 nlt

God commands us to always be joyful. We can easily obey that command when everythings going well, but how can we do it when our journey leads through disappointments and dark valleys? Heres where its helpful to understand what joy is.

My favorite definition, which was coined by Kay Warren in Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isnt Enough , is Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.

Joy isnt a fleeting feeling based on happy circumstances. Its an unshakable emotion that says everythings going to be okay because God is wise, loving, good, and sovereign, and he still sits on the throne. It takes root and grows deep when we choose to praise God, even when things arent going well, and it enables us to hold on to hope for a good outcome.

God never issues an impossible command. Joy at all times, good and bad, is his desire for us, and it becomes our reality when we trust him unconditionally.

Whats your definition of joy?

God, thank you for making lasting joy a possibility, because you are who you say you are.

Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as he causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the word and in the world.

John Piper, author of Desiring God

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Galatians 5:2223 nlt

My oldest daughter and her husband live in an arid region of Washington state. The road between their home and our marina winds through hills that resemble the set for a western movie, complete with sagebrush and rattlesnakes.

Interestingly, some of those same hills are able to sustain orchards of apples, peaches, pears, and grapes. We can spot the orchards from miles away because irrigation turns them a lush greena stark contrast to the sunbaked brown around them.

As Christs followers, we ought to stand in stark contrast to the world around usespecially when facing hardship. Our ability to experience joy despite heartache and tears bears witness to Gods presence and supernatural work within us.