Tag Archive for: Hebrews 10:23

A Search That Led to Hope

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Hebrews 10:23 — “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”

The first week of December arrived, and I found myself thinking more about Christmas. My husband Tyler and I had been growing in our faith, raising two little girls, and trying to run our small faith-based boutique.

My girls are naturally so curious, and Tyler and I really wanted to teach them the real meaning behind the glitter and the bells. So, I started searching. Not for gifts, not for decorations. But for something that could help my daughters see the heart of Christmas without me lecturing them into it.

I knew the usual traditions were fun, but I wanted something that pointed them gently toward the One at the center of it all.

I found option after option. Most were cute, some were clever, but none felt right. Then I stumbled onto “Finding Jesus.” It is a lot like Elf on the Shelf, but along with the stuffed Jesus, it also comes with daily scriptures and puzzle pieces to hide. By Christmas morning, the puzzle would form a Nativity.

It was perfect. When the package arrived, I could hardly contain my excitement.

Every morning after that, I crept around the house hiding the piece of the day. Then I waited for the sound—quick footsteps across hardwood, whispers, giggles. Watching them search became my favorite part. Their eyes were bright, their hope uncomplicated.

About halfway through December, I caught myself standing still in the hallway, piece in hand, feeling something tug at me. While they were learning to search for Jesus, I was learning that I had stopped searching the same way. Not intentionally. Life had layered itself thick with schedules and responsibilities, the kind that crowd out wonder.

One morning, as they checked beneath couch cushions and behind curtains, the words of Hebrews 10:23 rose in my heart, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”

I stood still, letting it settle. I remembered the years I had spent searching for hope. I remembered the moment I first realized Jesus was exactly who He said He was—and how everything changed. That hope had once felt so fresh, so alive.

And here I was, gently reminded: Hold tight. Don’t let go. He is faithful.

By Christmas morning, the final puzzle piece snapped into place, and the Nativity scene spread across the table. The girls beamed. And there behind them, with a lump in my throat, I whispered the truth to my own heart:

Searching for Him is still so worth it.
Holding on to Him is still so necessary.
And hope—real hope—is still found only in Him.

So here’s my invitation to you today:
As you move through this season, keep searching for Jesus. Keep remembering what He’s already done. And keep holding tightly to the hope He has promised—because He is good, and He will never let you go.

— Kirstie Ford

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Where have you let “life layers” or busyness crowd out the wonder of searching for Jesus?
  • What promise of God do you need to hold tightly to this season?
  • When have you experienced God’s faithfulness in a way that renewed your hope?
  • How can you create simple moments or traditions that point your heart back to Jesus this December?
  • What does “holding without wavering” look like in your real, daily life right now?
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When Hope Feels Impossible

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Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 

Hebrews 10:23

Courtney reached for the stuffed giraffe, waving it in front of the baby in front of her. He let out a squeal as his tiny arms reached up to grab it, fingers barely able to close around its soft body. 

She laughed, brushing a curl off his forehead. “You like that one, huh?” 

He giggled in response. A tube ran from his nose, looping over his chubby cheek. Another fed into his stomach, connected to the machine beside him. A year ago, the sight of it would’ve sent a lump straight to her throat. 

Now? 

Now she just saw him. 

Her miracle boy. 

She hugged him close, rocking back and forth, soaking in the warmth of him, the weight of him. 

She remembered sitting in a doctor’s office, gripping her husband’s hand like it was the only thing keeping her grounded. 

“Your son has a rare form of dwarfism. He will not live.” 

The words landed like bricks, one after another. No hope. No future. Just impossible decisions no parent should ever have to make. 

Except—something in her refused to accept that. So, she fought. 

She dug into research, spent late nights scouring medical journals, and prayed like never before. And somewhere in that searching, she felt it—that quiet nudge, that voice that said, Keep going. Don’t be afraid. 

After six months in the hospital, against all odds, they brought him home. 

Now, here he was—laughing, playing, thriving. 

Courtney knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy. There would be more hospital visits, more scary nights, more unknowns. 

But she also knew this—God had been better to them than she had ever dared to hope. 

It’s easy to get caught up in the fear of what’s ahead. To wonder if you’ll have enough strength or faith to make it through. 

But today, she wasn’t looking forward. She was looking back. 

At every time, God had provided. At every moment, she thought they wouldn’t make it—but did. And if God had carried them this far, He wasn’t about to stop now. 

Maybe that’s something we all need to remember. When fear whispers about the future, look back. Look at all He has done. And dare to believe He will still be good in the days to come. 

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Find Hope in God’s Faithfulness

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

Hebrews 10:23

He had dreamed of making a difference. As a young man, Thomas had pictured himself behind a pulpit, leading others closer to God. But life had other plans. Illness robbed him of the strength to preach, and financial struggles followed close behind.

One evening, as the sun dipped low and shadows filled the room, Thomas sat at his desk. His frail hands trembled as he opened his journal. He could have written about the disappointment, the missed opportunities, or the life he thought he had lost.

Instead, his mind turned to the quiet ways God had shown up: a kind neighbor bringing a meal, a check in the mail just when he needed it, a peace that carried him through sleepless nights.

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” he wrote, the words forming like a prayer. Each line became a declaration: “Morning by morning, new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.”

That hymn would go on to inspire millions, sung in churches, homes, and hospital rooms. But for Thomas Chisholm, it was a reminder that when life does not go as planned, God’s faithfulness remains.

If today feels overwhelming, know this: God’s faithfulness does not waver. Like Thomas, you can cling to the truth that morning by morning, His mercies will meet you right where you are.

 

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