Hope Is Found In The Power of Christ

The saints should never be dismay'd,
Nor sink in hopeless fear;
For when they least expect His aid,
The Savior will appear.

Wait for His seasonable aid,
And though it tarry, wait;
The promise may be long delay'd
But cannot come too late. -Cowper

Have you ever come to a time in your life—a place in your life—when you just felt like everything seemed “hopeless?” Have you walked in those dark canyons of despair and those times of despondency when you feeling all alone. I mean nothing seemed to be going right, all things seemed to be going in the wrong direction for you in your life and you just felt so overwhelmed by the circumstances you found yourself in that “you just felt hopeless.”

Hopelessness is an awful feeling. When people feel hopeless, they become dejected, demoralized, despondent, and often desperate. The future seems dark and bleak, offering them no glimmer of light whatsoever. Can you recall ever being in a hopeless situation?  Maybe you’re in one right now. Hopelessness happens when you find yourself in a situation where there is no confident expectation for a positive outcome. It’s being at the end of your rope. 

Lots of things can bring us to a point of hopelessness. The death of a spouse or child, the loss of a job, a chronic illness, a marriage on the brink of divorce, the potential of financial ruin, a prodigal son or daughter. Perhaps some of you have lost all confidence in the future; you have no confidence that things are going to work out. You have tried everything, you have looked everywhere and things remain bleak.

But don't despair; there is good news! Hope is found in believing. You have to believe that the power of Christ is sufficient for your situation. You have to believe that God can change the heart of your child. You have to believe that Christ can heal you.  You have to believe that Christ can save your marriage. That he can provide a job, that he can meet your needs.

In whatever situation you are facing, if you’re not confident that God is going to act graciously and powerfully on your behalf, you don’t have hope. You may really want things to turn out ok, but it’s not hope unless you believe confidently in the power of Jesus Christ to get you through, whatever it is you are facing. 

Ask yourself this question. When I am facing a hopeless situation, do I go to sleep concerned but confident that God is going to work out my situation? Do I wake up in the morning concerned but confident that God is in complete control of what’s going to happen today, and I believe that he is going to work everything out by his plan, in his timing, for his glory

Where is your belief? All of us say we believe, but does your heart and life reflect that belief? If you are consumed with self-pity, you don’t believe Christ is enough. If you are constantly complaining about your situation you don’t believe the power of Jesus Christ is going to get you through. 

My dear friends,  if you truly believe, when the fear sets in and the worry comes it won’t overwhelm you, because your hope isn’t in the how things are going to work out. Your hope is in who is going to work things out. 

Scripture: Psalm 25:5; Psalm 33:22; Psalm 52:9; Romans 15:13; 2 Corinthians 3:12; Ephesians 4:4-6; Isaiah 40:31

Prayer: Father, I give You all my worries and cares, for You are always thinking about me and watching everything that concerns me. I am well balanced and careful — vigilant, watching out for attacks from Satan, my great enemy. By Your grace I am standing firm, trusting You, and I remember that other Christians all around the world are going through these sufferings too. You, God, are full of kindness through Christ and will give me Your eternal glory. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Nancy