How You Can Live Every Day with Faith and Hope

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Can you imagine the emotional “roller coaster” the disciples were on?

They believed they’d lost Jesus on the cross and had been plunged into grief and fear. But three days later they were overjoyed by news of His resurrection. For the next 40 days…

He appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

Acts 1:3b

And then, they watched Him ascend to heaven.

He was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him.

Acts 1:9

Jesus was gone and they were left astonished while staring at the sky.

Life is full of highs and lows. The roller coaster of your life and mine can leave us frozen in place with our mouths hanging open wondering what will happen next.

I’m a fan of smooth sailing on calm waters. But life is full of uncertainty, fear, loss, and bitter disappointment. We can be left frozen by anxiety, afraid of the unknown or we can LIVE.

Before He ascended, Jesus said…

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.

Acts 1:8a

The power of the Holy Spirit makes it possible for followers of Jesus to live with courage, confidence, hope, and anything else they need to LIVE on life’s roller coaster . . . to ride the highs and lows and anything in-between with faith that He is who He says He is and that His grace is sufficient for all their needs.

Paul pleaded with God to remove a low in his life and the Lord told him…

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 

2 Corinthians 12:8

Praise God, He will give us what we need to throw our hands up and ride the highs and lows with faith and hope covered by His love.

A Prayer to Live with Faith and Hope

Father, thank you for the time Jesus spent with His disciples between His resurrection and ascension for allowing them to see Him, touch Him, walk with Him, and hear Him again. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to stand on the mountain and watch Him ascend, to hear the angel warriors say, “someday He will return from heaven in the same way you saw Him go,” (Acts 1:11), and then to return down the mountain with the instructions to wait and witness to people everywhere (Acts 1:7).

Every moment spent with Him changed them. They went from being disciples who merely followed to apostles on a mission. My life is full of highs and lows, Lord. One moment, I can be standing on a mountain top and the next facing an uncertain future in the valley.

You have promised to give the Spirit to all who surrender themselves to You in faith . . . to SEEKers whose desire it is to trust You and follow Your will. Please increase my faith on the uncertain days and keep me humble on the mountaintop. Please by Your grace, give me the faith and hope I need every day to trust You and follow You wherever You lead. Guide me by Your grace and bless me with Your Spirit’s presence. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

The Life Application Bible Notes say the following about the disciples actions after they returned from the mountain top.

Jesus said [the disciples] would be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days, so they waited and prayed. When you face a difficult task, an important decision, or a baffling dilemma, don’t rush into the work and just hope it comes out the way it should. Instead, make your first step prayer for the Holy Spirit’s power and guidance.

LAB Notes Acts 1:12–13

Patience and prayer are often the answer to receiving the faith and hope we need.

On today’s note write:

Jesus gives me the faith and hope I need to live through life’s highs and lows.

God bless you today and fill you with faith and hope for whatever lies ahead.

Click here to read the rest of Acts 1.

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