
| Love always trusts and hopes 1 Corinthians 13:7 MESSAGE: Shazam, the protector of the mystical realms, engages in his final battle against Kalypso to rescue Pittsburgh. He ensnares the dragon in a dome and sacrifices himself by striking it with lightning. Shazam was not merely a superhero but also a cherished son in his foster family. His parents and siblings grieve the loss of both a savior and a son, fearing they will never see him again. At his gravesite, Wonder Woman, the goddess and Billy’s long-time crush, appears and brings Shazam back to life. She clarifies that only a deity can save Billy from death, and she possesses the necessary attributes. Hope is sometimes a yuppy word. You can hope cookies are being served for dessert. You can hope all the dolphins avoid fishing nets. Every time we scratch a lotto ticket, there is hope. However, the airy and thin wish of hope isn’t very stable (especially in this economy). God’s definition of hope has a much stronger foundation. It does not waste time on cloudy thinking but relies on promises, historical evidence, and personal testimony. When we hope for world reconciliation, peace, and healing, we do it based on God’s resume. How does love fit into this? When we pray for our loved ones, we have God’s power, word, and faithfulness to back it up. God is not a whimsical circumstance, but a living being who lives up to his promises. We lose hope when things do not work according to our schedule. Our love for God wanes when we believe he willingly ignores our pleas or delights in our misfortune. I urge you to hold on to the slightest hope: not that God will fix everything with a single prayer, but that the endgame of his plan is the best love, tenderness, and care. |
| Research: Luke 24:19-24, 33-34 What is the most frustrating thing about believing in hope? In this passage, the freshly resurrected Jesus is disguised as a regular civilian. He is asking two strangers why everyone in the city is mourning. What do the strangers tell him? What did they hope for? How did Jesus revive their hope? Why were the strangers okay with the new hope they received (as opposed to what they expected)? |
| 60 Checkpoint devotionals transforming popular movies, comics, games, and TV into eternal lessons. Includes extra information, geekier context, and restored devotions. Click the cover to order at Barnes and Noble! Buy it here |

