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 and in print.

Lifted Up

Read: Psalm 30

I shall never be moved. (v. 6)

Do you remember climbing the first hill on your first rollercoaster ride? You got to the top, and for a moment the world stopped—the ground was a distant memory, and you were on top of the world. But all that changed instantaneously and suddenly you were plummeting down the track. Life feels that way sometimes—the ups and downs can be dizzying. In the valleys of life it’s important to remember God’s goodness and his faithfulness.

Psalm 30 gives us a series of promises for all of our ups and downs. As David recounts, when we’re with God, we can feel secure—we can stand as strong as a mountain and say the words, “I shall never be moved” (v. 6). When David called to God for help, God healed him (v. 2)—he lifted David up from the depths of his illness and despair (v. 3). In response to God’s work, David proclaimed, “weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (v. 5 NIV).

What Psalm 30 shows us is that we can rise from our pain and suffering and be transformed by God. He has the power to change our lives when we surrender to him. In order to be lifted up, we first must trust God. And though we may suffer, in him we have the security, hope, and peace to turn our “mourning into dancing” (v. 11).

As you pray, thank God for the promise of his faithfulness.

About the Author

Ariana D. Den Bleyker is a Pittsburgh native currently residing in New York’s Hudson Valley. She is the author of two devotional poetry collections,To Be Held by the LightandWaking in the Light. She is an ordained deacon in the Reformed Church of America.

When God Pursues Us

Read: Psalm 139 O LORD, you have searched me and known me! (v. 1) Sometimes when I stand calmly before a mirror and focus on my own eyes, I think, Do I know you? It’s a moment of honesty, easily

Read More »

He Leads Us

Read: Psalm 23 He restores my soul. (v. 3) On August 22, 2006, I gave up alcohol in what would be one of the most major life transitions and disorienting times of my life. I had been at the bottom

Read More »

In God We Trust

Read: Psalm 56 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. (vv. 3-4) When I first started traveling for work, I had to

Read More »

Look Up

Read: Psalm 71 For you, O Lord, are my hope. (v. 5) There’s an expression that refers to being between a rock and a hard place. When I was younger and my parents used this expression, I didn’t quite understand

Read More »

Not Alone

Read: Psalm 34 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted. (v. 18) When I was 21, I was diagnosed with a mental illness. The diagnosis stung. I knew God created me, yet I was ashamed. I prayed, but I couldn’t

Read More »

The God Who Keeps Us

Read: Psalm 121 My help comes from the LORD. (v. 2) When my son was eight weeks old, he stopped breathing. After dozens of hospitalizations and through the passing years, I still find myself afraid for him. I still find

Read More »

YouVersion Series

Words of Hope devotionals are available on The Bible App!

Books

Autobiographies and reading plans for groups or individuals.