“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead, since he was about a hundred years old, and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,” Romans 4:18-20
After reading the news recently, either online or watching it on the TV, you might say it appears that our world on this side of Paradise is really going in the wrong direction. Is Hope dying here? Has anyone asked that question in a poll? How do you know when Hope is starting to fade in your life? I know a few people who have left their homes in Haiti as their neighborhoods have been overrun by gangs and there are no safe havens left in their country.
Have you seen Hope beginning to fade in your neighborhood? I often wonder about the school children learning about Jesus in the morning and then eating their Trinity HOPE lunch and what do they talk about when they walk home after school?
The Creole word for ‘Never’ is ‘Pa janm’ and I can only imagine that word must surely comes up in their conversations. These gangs are ‘never’ going to leave. I’m ‘never’ going to get married. I’m ‘never’ going to graduate. I’m ‘never’ going to see these gangs leave in my lifetime. Never; that’s when hope has not just faded, but seemingly has died; when you have reached a dead end and don’t see a way out. When we feel that we are at a dead end, when it’s hard to hold on to hope; that is when you need the Bible. Read it. Study it. Memorize it if you are able. Think about it. Pray about it. Get down on your knees and pray about it.
The Bible is full of promises, and nothing else can encourage us like it can. When we rely on the Word and trust in its promises, it will revive us emotionally. You won’t panic because you’ll be reminded that, even though the norm’s of this sinful world are out of your control, it’s not out of God’s control.
Abraham never doubted. He believed God and his faith and trust grew even stronger, and he praised God for this blessing even before it happened. A promise is only as good as the character of the person who makes the promise. The Bible says God cannot lie because He is complete truth. If He makes a promise to you, He’s going to fulfill it. It will happen exactly as He has said. When you’re at your dead end, trust in God’s truth.
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay