Articles
Need Hope?
“Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have.” (H. Jackson Brown, Jr.)
Sometimes life can feel hopeless. King David, who was a man after God’s own heart, sometimes had feelings of hopelessness. In Psalm 43:5, David cried out, “Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God.”
David is a good example for us when we feel hopeless and lost. Even as he asked himself “Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me?” David’s self-talk was telling him to “Put your hope in God”.
God gives real hope
While king David experienced times of hopelessness, fear and depression, he knew God can replace hopelessness with genuine happiness and joy. The Bible often teaches us about hope from God:
- “For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth.” (Psalm 71:5)
- “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.” (Psalm 119:114)
- “That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments” (Psalm 78:7)
- “we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)
- “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope…” (Romans 15:13)
- “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus” (Hebrews 6:19-20)
God is faithful to us. "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23) Like king David, in good times and bad times we can choose to put our hope in God and His promised in the Bible.
Hope is important in daily life
Life can feel dreary without hope. Every day we exercise the mental and emotional activity of hope. Hope is something we can feel, but hope is also an intentional choice. We need it most when our feelings aren’t being cooperative. We get sucker punched by life at times, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12) Bad things happen that "pull the rug out" from under us and take our breath away. Feelings of hopelessness arise as our circumstances scream there’s no hope.
This is the reason we need to trust God each day, “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5)
Why should we hold on to Hope?
Because God gave you His promise "in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began" (Titus 1:2). Negative emotions want to suck you down into the abyss of depression, apathy, and hopelessness. Hope says no, don’t give up! Hope helps us make the intentional choice to grab hold of the life it offers no matter how long it will take. Hope says it’ll be worth it.
God's Hope will not disappoint us
Rejoice in your personal faith in God and Jesus, “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer” (Romans 12:12). Even in times of hopelessness, “we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:3-5).
Yes, it's the sad times that makes our hope shine the brightest! We "desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:11-12).
God's hope is real and encourages our hearts, "For we were saved in this hope” (Romans 8:24)
(Thoughts for this article are from various authors)
