Latest Devotion
Don't Give Up
By: Lisa Hodgins
Friday, May 9, 2025
I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. Psalm 31:7 (NLT)
Isaiah 49 says when Israel was exiled to Babylon, they felt like God had abandoned them. They even wondered if God had completely forgotten about them. Have you ever found yourself thinking that? Like when your prayers seem to be unanswered, or an illness isn't healed. I know I have... I prayed for over 30 years for my child to turn back to the Lord. He got saved at a VBS when he was young, but became a prodigal child in adulthood. Praise God for delivering him from drugs and alcohol, and even better, he has returned to God and is serving Him by speaking at recovery centers.
I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: “O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. Daniel 9:4
Last weekend, Tom and Michelle Kitchens shared their testimony, describing how she prayed for her unsaved husband for many years. Praise God, Tom eventually committed his life to the Lord, and they are faithfully serving God together! One of CCM's Pastors (Dave Barnes) has shared his story many times describing how he attended church (our church) for 10 years before he completely surrendered his heart to the Lord. Dave's wife Donna was praying for her husband’s salvation the whole time, but it took ten long years for Dave to respond!
"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Isaiah 44:22
The Israelites couldn’t see how God was moving, and their captivity was making them hopeless. But God... The Lord had a plan and purpose to restore them all along. Be encouraged, God has a plan and purpose for everyone in your family too! We usually can’t see God moving, but He is constantly working on and in the hearts of our loved ones. Rest assured, God is always faithful to His promises, and restoration is always on His mind!
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
Don’t give up Christ follower! Keep on praying, God hears you. He is always with you, so don't let the time of waiting discourage you. He will answer your prayers in His perfect timing!
Read: Psalm 23:4, Luke 18:1