Hope is challenging when our lives are full of waiting. Jesus is our hope and deliverer even when nothing may ever change. He is our constant.
My friend had a broken heart. I’m done she wrote. Done praying, hoping, waiting. What kind of father allows his children to suffer and hurt when he has the power to change and heal hearts? He hides behind this idea that we are to learn lessons and become stronger. It’s cruel and I want no part of it.
As I read my friend’s words, I knew I too had felt these very thoughts and more as I suffered through long periods of waiting. What is a believer to do in the midst of extreme despair? As believers our only answer is hope.
He is Our Hope
The weight of situations have left me feeling broken, alone, vulnerable, and angry. While listening to preachers talk about peace and comfort and better times, I have rarely connected better times with being in God’s presence. I know I have attributed better times with better circumstances; the problem would be resolved and the weight would fall off. Yet, Scripture is full of those who saw long times of waiting. Moses in the desert – not one time but twice, Joseph in prison, and David in hiding. And us his church waiting for his return. If I am honest, I do not want to be one of the waiting. I want to be one of the delivered.
How can I find hope and even believe there is anything to hope for in the face of so much pain? In the face of impossible situations and ones that may not change?
He is Our Deliverer
Hebrews 11, while it speaks of so many who were faithful and saw victory, also talks about suffering, mocking, flogging, sawn in two, stoned, killed by the sword. Destitute, afflicted, mistreated- of whom the world was unworthy. While many today want to make Jesus into some wise teacher, He is and was so much more.
He is the great deliverer. For some, that will be here on earth. They will see healing and change. But, many may never see deliverance until heaven. Regardless of when the hope that we long for is fulfilled, we can all stand sure of one thing- His presence. He has promised us His presence. Jesus said he was sending us a comforter. What does that mean but that we would require comfort? This world has trouble, but take heart. I have overcome the world.
Regardless of when the hope that we long for is fulfilled, we can all stand sure of one thing- His presence. Click To Tweet
He is Our Constant
I can see the weight of worry and despair fall off because He is my peace, who has broken down every wall. My problem will not go away. Some of my worries may never get better or even change until I walk the gates of heaven. But, He is constant. I can trust him with my agony knowing that He too, understands what it is like to suffer. I can lay my despair at the feet of Jesus and know if not now, then one day all will be redeemed. All will be made new. All will be as He intended.
Jesus too, suffered knowing that the only relief would be the cross. I can take comfort that in whatever I face He, who knew no sin, suffered in my place so that I will not face eternity with no hope. This is a different kind of hope than the one who does not know Jesus, our great high priest who, though was tempted, was without sin. I will forget this truth often and I hope that I can reach out to those who will gently remind me of what is good and true. I can pray and take time to train my heart to remember and meditate on His constancy.
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:3, NIV
As a therapist I work often with young children and adolescents who have endured significant trauma and abuse. I cling to this hope on a daily basis because I understand that for some of them they won’t see deliverance until the day they meet Jesus. Our understanding is so limited in comparison to God.
Hope is the word I hold onto too. Life is so hard so often. It seems like my life has always been hard. But God has been faithful throughout it. I can hope in Him that there is a plan – even if I can’t see or understand it.
Thank you for this great reminder Kathy. He is always working in the waiting. Our lives and circumstances can be in turbulence, but His presence and love are walking through it all with and in us. He is the anchor of our hope. One day all will be made right again.
You have been one of those faithful friends to help me look to Him. I am grateful for you