Our Daily Bread: This Far By FaithEsimerkki

A Quiet Hope God established pillars in my life. Strong, solid, supportive structures—my parents, grandparents, sisters, and a host of folks loving, protecting, advising, helping and praying for me. However, today I’m doing a “halleluiah, thank you, Jesus” dance on one particular pillar—my church family. A small, faithful group in my home church called out to God on my behalf. They trusted with a quiet hope for my salvation and continued growth in the Lord. When I visit the older ones from this group, even now, they still want to know what I’m accomplishing for Christ’s kingdom, listening for answers to their prayers. As an adult, I found out about a few personal situations some of these individuals endured during my childhood. Yet, when I think back on their prayers, knowledge of God’s Word, and testimonies—I’m amazed. In the midst of it all, they encouraged me and so many others. These wounded prayer warriors stood tall with their quiet hope, believing whole-heartedly in the assurances found in Psalm 139, that God knows everything (Ps 139:1–4), is always present (vv. 5–12), and is always thinking about us and working on our behalf (vv. 17–18). These are the truths I’m asking God to place deep into my heart as He’s shaping me to be a pillar too. The quiet baton of hope has been passed. -Victoria McAfee Even in hard times, the Lord is present and accomplishing great things through our lives.