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.
Elijah’s Loneliness
Read: 1 Kings 19:1-18 I, even I only, am left. (v. 10) It’s a safe bet that Elijah wasn’t just feeling alone but was feeling downright lonely when he hid for a night in a cave on Mount Horeb. He had
Love Matters
Read: John 15:1-14 Love one another as I have loved you. (v. 12) When people puzzle over the mysteries of life, one of the deepest is the question of why anything exists at all. Why is there something rather than
The Palm and the Cedar of Lebanon
Read: Psalm 92 The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. (v. 12) When was the last time you ate a date? What do you recall about the taste, smell, and texture? Do you know
The Apostles’ Creed Belief-Summary
Read: Deuteronomy 11:18-25 You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul. (v. 18) The Apostles’ Creed is a historic summary of essential Christian beliefs. Interested inquirers and growing Christians could get a good
Floodgates of Heaven
Read: Malachi 3:8-12 Test me in this . . . and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (v. 10 NIV)
The Fruit of Faith
READ : Matthew 7:15-20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (v. 20 NIV) Jesus’ strong words in Matthew 7:21 may sound like salvation by works, but Jesus didn’t mean that. We are saved not by our obedience, but by Christ’s. We must simply trust
God Pitched His Tent Among Us
READ : John 1:1-18 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (v. 14) It was raining, cold and hard, as we finally canoed into our camp for the night. It may have been spring back home, with blooming tulips,
Humility in Prayer
READ : Luke 18:9-14 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted. (v. 14) It doesn’t take too much digging into the Bible to realize God honors, and expects, a humble heart.
Saul’s Armor
READ : 1 Samuel 17:19-39 Then Saul . . . put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. (v. 38 NIV) Before David went out to face Goliath, King Saul dressed David in his own