Hope When Times Are Hopeless!

In recent months, natural and man made disasters have brought much pain and suffering, death and destruction to people all over the world. The scars of these tumultuous invasions will live in the memory of those caught in their wake and recovery is predicted to take many years. But where is our hope for intervention and recovery from the devastation? The people around us can only do so much and go so far. They can assist in the recovery of material possessions but the healing must come from a presence greater than man and greater than the devastating event. That presence is the delivering and restoring power of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our Hope in the midst of mind numbing calamity.

The storms of life are raging and they will become more intense before they are concluded. But, tomorrow is coming when they will all pass away. The clouds will be dispersed and the Son will rise and shine at the beginning of a perfect day. The Day Star will rise casting all imperfection into yesterday and will lead us into our pure, unspoiled future. Jesus gave us this promise. John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

This very moment as we battle the storms in our life, Jesus is making provision for us. He is providing the spiritual fortitude to bring us through the storms and also preparing our final destination to be with Him. We must place our hand in His and let Him lead us there. There is no storm, no trial, no test or battle that He cannot navigate. In fact, He allows the storms to come to help us grow and mature as His disciples. He is teaching us to recognize the best path. He is teaching us that He is always with us and we are learning to recognize Him in our storm. God uses the storms to fashion His faith, His trust and His assurance in us. Faith that His promises are sure, trust that it is His voice we hear and assurance that no matter where the storms may carry us, He is always there. Matt. 28:20, “...and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world...”

Christ has promised to go with us, sustain us and deliver us. What we must to do is walk with Him. We belong to Him and He says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” John 10:27. He has paid a great price for our deliverance and nothing can take us out of His hand if we will only trust and obey Him. Psalm 31:19, “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! 20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.”

My soul craves the peace of God's presence. In His stillness I find peace and rest. He lifts me above this world's raging storm. He quiets the winds and calms the blustery waves. He commands “peace, be still” and my life returns. He is our HOPE when all things appear hopeless!