Beyond Hope?

“I never expected to see your face again,” Israel (aka Jacob) said to Joseph, “but now God has let me see your children as well.”  Genesis 48:11 BSB

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed… Romans 4:18a BSB

The situation looks hopeless. Feels hopeless. By all accounts, is hopeless. Have such thoughts ever gripped your heart? Is there a person or circumstance or trial – something that appears beyond even the hint of a miracle? Have you, like me, without even realizing it, begun the slide into there’s-no-way-this-will-ever-change thinking? Leaving our omnipotent God out of the equation in the process?

In my own life, I have a this-looks-hopeless situation that readily comes to mind. Well, to be totally honest, there are a few. But as our Lord would have it, while driving to work and listening to a sermon/podcast, I was stopped in my tracks. Both encouraged and convicted by a speaker’s message. He reminded the listeners how easy it is to slide into despair or hopelessness, when we forget the sovereignty of our all-powerful God and assume (privately) that He’s forgotten all about us. And when we allow our circumstances to dictate what we believe God is capable of. He also reminded us that we don’t have all the facts of any given situation, but God does. But often, we act like we know better. Or maybe it’s just me.

Are we willing to trust God when it “feels” like He’s forgotten us, or when life “feels” unfair or worst of all, when a situation looks and feels hopeless?

Oh, the speaker offered no magic-wand outcomes. The truth is, God may very well allow great trial into our lives… for extended periods of time. But He can be trusted to bring good out of all we (His children) face. There is hope, in even the most hopeless circumstance. So, let’s keep praying. Keep trusting. Keep singing His praises. Whatever the outcome He chooses for us, He is good and He is faithful.

Like Jacob in today’s Scripture, what expectation have you given up on? Let me encourage you not to despair. Hope against hope. I’m preaching to myself as I preach to you. Let’s hope, trust and then bow to the will of our God. Hopelessness is a lie of the enemy.

Let’s hope, trust and then bow to the will of our God

Becky White

Let me end with this; A young college student asked the renowned theologian, C.H. Spurgeon, “I’m having trouble understanding why bad things happen to some people, it doesn’t seem fair.” Spurgeon replied, “Young man, give God credit for knowing some things you don’t.”  Amen!

The lowest point in the tide is often the turning of the tide.

It’s always too early to throw in the towel.  – Philip De Courcy

Let’s pray…

Father God, please forgive me for my lack of trust in Your care and for limiting You, the Holy One. I lay my hopeless looking situations into Your hands and trust that You will do the impossible or walk me through the impossible. But may I not neglect to pray just because it looks and feels impossible. I love and worship You, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

The Gospel 101