July 18 | Hope Holds in the Middle of Suffering

Today's reading from Psalms 20-22 and Acts 21:1-17 reminds us that hope is not the absence of suffering but the steady confidence that God remains faithful through it. Both passages show believers who face hardship honestly while remaining anchored in the Lord, allowing Him to shape their trust over time.In Psalm 22, David cries out from a place of deep anguish, yet his words become one of the clearest prophetic pictures of Jesus' suffering on the cross. The psalm reminds us that even when God's people feel abandoned, He is still accomplishing His redemptive purposes and remains worthy of our trust.In Acts 21, Paul continues his journey toward Jerusalem even after repeated warnings that suffering awaits him. His willingness to obey God's calling despite the cost demonstrates a faith that is anchored not in comfort, but in confidence that God's purposes are greater than temporary hardship.Together, these passages invite us to reflect on where our hope is anchored. They remind us that suffering is not evidence that God has left us, but an opportunity to discover His faithfulness in deeper ways as He forms our hearts to trust Him.