Hope Thou In God! Hope is a powerful commodity! We live in a world full of hopelessness. Even within the confines of the church, we find people that are in despair. They know the right words to say and the right look to put on the face, but on a deeper level, there is hopelessness.
There are times when starting to work with a couple; I find one or both are without hope of any change taking place. They go through the motions, but doubt permeates their mind. In most cases, happily, this does not last. Many times, in response to my quality control questions, I get the answer, “Now I have hope.” I never get tired of hearing that.
Without hope, people are miserable. It is like they are dead inside.
There is a reason Paul stuck ‘Hope’ between ‘Love’ and ‘Faith’ in 1 Corinthians 13. I believe it is hope itself that empowers love and faith. In my experience, without hope, there is no love or faith. Hope, when activated, takes the hands of love and faith, and together, they become a powerful force.
Despair is the absence of hope
Despair is the complete loss or absence of hope. David wrote much about despair. Time and time again, thinking about his failures, about those that were against him, about his broken and unrealized dreams, David despaired. He experienced a loss of hope.
Yet, every time, amid his despair, when David turned his attention towards God, his hope flourished.
He wrote in Psalm 42:11, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”
David learned the best place to put his hope was in God! Nothing has changed! When we turn to Jesus, there is hope. Hope is bountiful in Jesus.
Let me encourage you to spend time with Jesus each day. Memorize some applicable verses. Nothing is impossible with God. Put your hope in Jesus. Then praise Him!
If I can help you, I hope you will let me know.
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