THERE IS HOPE AND HELP

“And you would be secure, because THERE IS HOPE; Yes, you would dig around you, and take your rest in safety” – Job 11:18

In God, and for all who believe, even in seasons of insecurity, THERE IS HOPE and HELP: “And you would be secure, because THERE IS HOPE; Yes, you would dig around you, and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor” (Job 11:18-19). Zophar, one of Job’s well-intentioned friends, and the most impetuous and dogmatic, told Job that if he puts away sin and allows no evil to dwell in his tent, then all would be well (v.14). Zophar assumed that if only Job would own up to the sin in his life, he would be secure and unafraid. This makes sense in the natural; but while it is God’s desire for us to have a sense of security and safety, this is not achieved through being sinless. Instead, a secure life that is independent of circumstances comes from being in relationship with God.

Trusting God for our security depends not on our perfection, but on God’s ability to sustain us through all our circumstances. Despite Zophar’s limited counsel, he touched on the truth of HOPE and HELP in God. We trust God because He is the all-good God who loves us and has our best interests at heart. Even when our conditions aren’t favourable we can still trust Him because ultimately He has everything under control. Nothing happens without His knowledge or consent. If He allows something to happen in my life that I don’t like I can still trust Him to bring about His good purposes through the situation. When we have sense of security planted in our hearts, we have Hope. Nothing is beyond God’s reach or concern and there is no reason to be afraid of the unexpected. While something may be unexpected to us, it’s never unexpected to God!

Hope can be found even in the darkest of days: “Indeed THERE ISHOPE for a tree. If it’s cut down and still sprouting and its shoots don’t fail, if its roots age in the ground and its stump dies in the dust, at the scent of water, it will bud and produce sprouts like a plant” (Job 14:7-9). Job should know! The book that bears His name tells the story of a man whose life became unbearably difficult, but he was buoyed by his hope and his steadfast faith in God. The Word of God consistently offers us Hope and Help; scriptures provide comfort and light through life’s often dark tunnels. In Christ, and through the efficacy of Scriptures, we have a soothing reminder that we are so much more resilient than we believe we are.

People often say “hope springs eternal,” but it may not always feel that way. Feelings of hopelessness sometimes affect us as we struggle with deep emotions like anger, anxiety, fear or depression. We may find it hard to hold onto hope in the wake of a significant loss or a rough patch in our relationship when we’ll rather allow ourselves to feel overwhelmed. But there’ll always be bright spots in many parts of daily life, if we are sensitive to God’s Spirit. For all the struggles that life may throw our way, there are also moments of unbelievable joy to be found. Hope may present itself in unexpected ways: in quiet moments of peace with our loved ones, a humorous conversation, a meditative walk, or in communion with God.

God is watching over us, and there is light to be found even in the darker moments of life. If life knocks us down and we’re feeling small, there is still hope to be found. God’s Word is more than sufficient to inspire us with Hope and Help; to offer encouragement for each day and provide comfort, courage, confidence, and strength to handle life's challenges, especially during seasons of insecurity and uncertainty.