DON'T LET GO OF HOPE
08th Jul 2015
Hope keeps you going, without it you could be tempted to despair and simply give up. For Christians hope is based on relationship, because we trust our Father God, we trust His promises and our hope is built on “what He has said He will do”, not on what we experience in a given moment.
During a time when we were struggling with teenage behaviour and tormented with fear, we turned to the One who alone can give hope. He gave us a Bible verse which became an anchor to stabilise us and steady our faith. His word of promise overcame fear and created hope.
As Isaiah looks at the scene around him, he sees vast enemy nations about to attack Jerusalem. Where is God? In Isaiah 8:16-17, the prophet looks back at God’s faithfulness, he remembers the past testimonies of God’s help and declares, “Gather up the testimony, preserve the teaching for my followers, while I wait for God as long as he remains in hiding, while I wait and hope for him. I stand my ground and hope.”
Jeremiah does the same, “I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness... the feeling of hitting the bottom. But there’s one thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope.” (Lamentations 3:19-21 The Message) God’s merciful love has not run out. He alone knows how to help you, what to say that will bring comfort.
Jeremiah concludes, “I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left. God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: wait for hope to appear.” (Lamentations 3:24-29 The Message)
Whatever the circumstances, personal tragedies, national crises, world events; Jesus has promised to be with us, the source of all comfort and wisdom - and He will give you HOPE.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
