“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jer 29:11

Have you ever thought about what a neat thing a thermostat is? When it’s too cold, we crank it up; when it’s too hot, we adjust it down. Soon the room temperature obeys our initial command. The fact that we control the thermostat doesn’t mean that the temperature in our home will respond immediately. If your system is like ours, when you first make an adjustment, a boiler noise sounds indicating a connection between the regulator and the heating unit. Some time after that, the room will be renewed to our liking.

What about our level of hope this week? If you’re already content, loaded with hope, and prepared to experience a great measure of victory in the week ahead, then great!! If, however, you are anything like my wife Cynthia and me, then a “Hope Thermostat” is a must. Whatever measure of hope we expect to be comfortable living in this week, then let’s make the adjustment before the week either cools down or heats up on its own. So, let’s set our minds and remember to be patient. It will take a while for the targeted hope to respond to our hope setting. Just be assured by the good noise that will be coming from the boiler room of our hearts. Of course, there may be some who choose not to preset their “Hope Thermostat.” This leaves many possibilities—including such things as cold waves of despair, heated hopelessness, or even nothing at all!

We just set our level of hope to high. Our heart pumps have kicked in! We’re now anticipating a hope-filled week, one with certain victory! What about you?

In case any of us need some help in getting going, here is a prayer that will do just that…

Heavenly Father, please set Your Thermostat for our lives. Let the glory of your power and majesty flow through us this week as we experience the comfort, confidence, and safety of your guiding hand. Thank you for being the source of all hope, including the amount we need for this coming week. Bless those who read this with what You know is best for each of us. Thank you for ensuring our victory, in Jesus’ precious name. AMEN.

Rom 15:13; 1 Cor 2:9; Ps 146:5