“And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security” – Job 11:17-19 (NIV).
Philosophers and writers have long pointed out that without hope mankind would long be gone. Victor Frankly (1905- 1997), the Australian psychiatrist who survived the Holocaust where he lost his entire family found hope was the most important weapon that enabled him come out alive. “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how!”
Hope can sustain any of us through the darkest of times. This is what happened to Job when he lost everything he possessed. “Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face” (Job 13:15).
King David when he was being pursued by his enemies never lost hope. “For you have been my hope, sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth” (Psalm 71:5). The Apostle Paul who faced countless perilous times during his missionary journeys including jail and shipwrecks never lost hope. Writing to the Corinthians he reminded them, “He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers” (2 Cor 1:10-11).
The difference between believers and those who have no faith is always manifested in that for non believers all their hope is in their material possessions. It’s an empty life for without any of those things life is meaningless. This is why many pin their life on toiling day and night to give their life some hope. But as King Solomon once asked, “What do people gain from all their labors, at which they toil under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:3). Over two thousand years ago since David lived what much has changed on the earth! “Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever” (verse 4).
As believers God has given us hope that our lives are not empty and meaningless. He has given us hope to carry us thorough the lowest of moments. “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope” (Psalm 130:5).
Today, may that hope that you have in Christ carry you through whatever challenge you may be facing.
Prayer for today: Lord father God of creation, heaven and earth, today I pray that the hope I have in you lifts me up and carries me through, this I pray in Jesus's name.
