Words of Hope Daily Devotional
The Words of Hope Devotional is a non-profit, donor-supported publication whose goal is to encourage readers to grow in faith through the practice of daily Bible reading and prayer. The devotional is available in your email, in print, and as an app in Google Play and the App Store.
A New Earth
Read: Revelation 20:11-21:8
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true” (21:5)
Multitudes stand before the throne. All the unrepentant dead are raised—whether buried, cremated, drowned, bombed to bits, or lost in space! Their fate was fixed long since by their own bad, obstinate choices. But all will know they rejected the Judge of the earth and the King of kings. Books are opened—their biographies.
Jesus owed us nothing. Yet he paid for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). Defendants will not be damned for their sins, but for refusing Jesus’ free offer of life. All who rejected him are cast into the fiery lake—the second death. Then Death itself, and the Grave, are abolished.
Jesus’ followers are registered in the Lamb’s Book. For them God has a surprise. John sees a new heaven and earth. God designed our earth so he could live with us here for eternity (Gen. 1-2). Every part pleased him. Jesus loved the red poppy fields in Galilee (Matt. 6:28). The Father loved the birds (Matt. 10:29). Everything he made reflects a facet of his glory. He will transform our planet, even plants and animals (Rom. 8:18; Isa. 11:6). Our new earth will never be less than the one we have now. Our new body will never be less than the one we have now. Both will be much more! —Ruth Siemens
As you pray, ask God to help you remember his promises to you.
About the Author
Ruth Siemens was a campus minister with IVCF/IFES, then started Global Opportunities to prepare professionals to work and witness in secular employment abroad.
A New Day
Read: Joel 2:18-27 You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God and there is none else. (v. 27) One of the scariest experiences I’ve had was lying in bed
True Repentance
Read: Joel 2:12-17 Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. (v. 13) Have you ever
Pass it On
Read: Joel 1:1-4 Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation. (v. 3) My father loves to share stories from his younger days. Sometimes the stories are funny, but many
Three Strikes
Read: Hosea 11:8-11 How can I give you up, O Ephraim? . . . for I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath. (vv. 8-9) “Three strikes and
Short-Term Memory
Read: Hosea 11:1-7 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them. (v. 3) It is often a parent’s joy to help their children
Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover
Read: Hosea 6:4-6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. (v. 6) I love bookstores. I enjoy wandering the aisles, perusing book covers in search of one that looks like it
God’s Patient Love
Read: Hosea 2:14-20 Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. (v. 14) When I was in second grade, a boy in my class swore he would hold his breath until
Passionate Love
Read: Hosea 2:14-20 Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. (v. 14) When I was in second grade, a boy in my class swore he would hold his breath until
What’s in a Name?
Read: Hosea 1:6-10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,”