GuideStone® was originally established in 1918 to provide financial support and assistance for retired pastors and widows. Today, we continue to carry out that mission through the ministry of Mission:Dignity®. Here’s an encouraging devotional from one of our recipients:
A Hope That Moves Us ForwardPsalm 39:7 (ESV)
Alex Tajeda authored this issue’s devotional. He served the Lord alongside his wife, Gladys, for 27 years.
In a devotional a few years ago, Joni Eareckson Tada shared, “Christians are a people of hope.” Mrs. Tada’s physical movements are limited because of a cervical fracture sustained in her youth. Over the years, managing this condition, she has learned that faith gives us proper insight into our daily lives, that God’s love impels us to love others and that there is a future hope to move us forward.
In contrast, many people live without hope, having placed their trust in uncertain and non-eternal things. Ephesians 2:12 (ESV) says, “Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”
When people in the world lose hope, there is no remedy for them except to turn to the Lord. God, in his mercy, saves us from our circumstances, others and even ourselves. Paul and Silas were arrested, handed over to the authorities, flogged, and imprisoned. But in prison, they sang hymns to God at midnight, knowing their hope was not in vain.
The individual, without God, will always be motivated by vain or false hopes. God, however, is always truthful. Jesus spoke words of truth. His works and promises mark the path of true hope. One needs only to hear, accept and believe them.
David wrote, “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you,” Psalm 39:7 (ESV). In the midst of all the loss in this world, we have hope for the glory of God. We can move forward or restart today on a new path towards hope in Christ.
How can you move forward in hope today?
Want more devotionals? Our 40-day devotional book written by our Mission:Dignity recipients is available to order here.
Across the Markets
U.S. equities rebounded after an early-week selloff following President Trump’s threat to fire Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. His retraction on Tuesday was positively received by investors, and the S&P 500® Index was up 4.6% for the full week, including a 2% move higher on Thursday alone, reaching its highest level since the “Liberation Day” tariff announcements. Small-cap stocks were also up, with the Russell 2000® Index posting a 4.1% return.
Corporate earnings releases came in better than expected this week, helping boost positive sentiment. According to data from FactSet, 73% of the companies that had reported first-quarter results through Friday morning had beaten consensus earnings expectations.
The Trump administration’s softer tone on tariffs and its stance towards Fed Chair Powell sent yields lower. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield decreased by 15 basis points, from 4.41% on Monday to 4.26% by Friday. Credit rallied this week, with investment-grade spreads tightening to 103 basis points.
Gold prices peaked at over $3,500/oz but later declined as investors took profits and moved to riskier assets. Oil prices remained stable, ending the week at $63/bbl, with increased OPEC production balanced by new U.S. sanctions against Iran.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) updated its global economic forecasts, citing risks related to higher tariffs. The organization now projects a 2.8% annual GDP growth rate in 2025 and 3.0% in 2026. Three months ago, before the recent increase in tariffs, the IMF had forecasted 3.3% growth rates for 2025 and 2026.
Due to U.S. trade tariffs, the German government reduced its GDP forecast for this year to stagnation, down from the 0.3% growth projected in January. However, European Central Bank Chief Economist Philip Lane stated that while tariff uncertainty would slow economic growth, a eurozone recession is unlikely due to diversified trading relationships.
Mainland Chinese stocks rose this week on hopes of government stimulus to counter U.S. tariffs.
In the Economy
S&P Global’s flash reading of its April Purchasing Managers’ Index survey data showed that U.S. business activity growth reached its lowest level in 16 months. Manufacturing activity unexpectedly increased from 50.2 in March to 50.7, while services activity growth decreased significantly, reducing the overall Index to 51.2 from 53.5 in the previous month.
The University of Michigan’s final April Consumer Sentiment Index was 52.2, an improvement from the earlier estimate but still 8% lower than March. The report also showed that inflation expectations for the year ahead increased to 6.5% from 5% in March, the highest since 1981.
The Census Bureau reported a 9.2% increase in durable goods orders in March, the third consecutive monthly rise. This was mainly attributable to a surge in commercial aircraft orders ahead of tariffs. Without transportation, orders remained flat, indicating business caution amid economic and policy uncertainty.
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Commentary
• Apr 29, 2025 