HOPE OVER HOPELESSNESS

“For in You, O Lord, I HOPE; You will hear, O Lord my God” – Psalm 38:15

God inspires and empowers His children to choose HOPE over HOPELESSNESS: “For in You, O Lord, I HOPE; You will hear, O Lord my God” (Psa.38:15). God desires for us to always know Him as OUR HOPE and HELP. When God hears the Cry of Hope, He hearkens with Help! Psalm 38 is a song full of pain, depicting the depths of David’s physical troubles and spiritual turmoil; how he was pierced by God’s displeasure, overwhelmed by his iniquity, forsaken by friends, and hunted by enemies. But, in it all there was a glimmer of Hope in the Lord who hears and helps. Despite his spiritual depression, David clung to Hope in the LORD. Though he did not feel it, in faith he said, “You will hear”! David chose to allow his affliction to press him toward God instead of away from the God who was his only Hope; hence his urgent plea unto God (v.21-22).

Hope or Hopelessness is a choice and not the outcome of our circumstances. Hopelessness is an evil blight and curse on humanity. Hope is a great gift from God for our Joy and Peace. Whoever keeps looking unto God rather than men, never makes room for hopelessness, as it soon fades away. God is bigger than everything and everyone. God is closer to us than we think. He is always there for us, ready to intervene at the right time. He would help us when we cry out to Him for help. When we trust Him to help us, He will carry our burdens for us: “Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you” (1Pet.5:7). God knows those who belong to Him and therefore cannot forsake His own even in trouble (2Tim.2:19).

Despair is the complete loss or absence of Hope. Instead of despair, we can make the choice for Hope. A hopeless mind is nothing but a mind loaded with negative thoughts and destructive imagination. We can choose to be courageous and hopeful no matter what. There is no situation that is too hopeless until we accept it. It’s time to resist hopelessness! To survive life’s trials and thrive in destiny, we must learn to look beyond human help to God’s unfailing and ultimate help. Isaac Watts wrote: “Oh God, OUR HELP in ages past, OUR HOPE for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home”! The Eternal God is ever present and ready to help those who trust in Him. He is our Hope and Help. We must never doubt the ability and willingness of our great, loving, and caring God to help; and should never be hopeless.

I ask myself: “How is my Hope? Does it bounce back after being hit? Do I easily doubt and readily lose hope in adverse situations?” God knows that we all struggle with holding onto Hope. When we are facing tests of faith, even the strongest Christians can find it a challenge to keep Hope alive. But the encouragement and refreshment of Scriptures offer unending Hope and Help. All hope cannot be lost when God is the Source and Sustainer. He is able to sustain the righteous and his seeds; so, there is no reason to be depressed or to lose hope, thinking God has abandoned us, or that it is all over, just because men fail to help: “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up” (Psa. 27:10). 

Beloved, resist hopelessness; choose Hope; no matter the situation, never give up; instead, always be strong, courageous, and resilient. Conquer over heartaches, heartbreaks, and pain. God is your Hope and Help. Our Loving and Faithful Father is the Upholder of our heads. We can trust Him with all of our needs and challenges! Our expectations shall never be cut off. We will never fail to trust God with all of life’s cares and battles! Let’s prayerfully conclude with the song-writer: “Our God, our Help in ages past, our Hope for years to come, be Thou our guide while life shall last, and our eternal Home!”