When Things Seem Hopeless
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words,”
Luke 24:5–8
The three days that Jesus was in the grave were dark indeed for those who had followed and loved Him. Despite the fact that He had told them of His impending death, they did not seem to grasp the reality of God’s plan for redemption. As those around them celebrated Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, they huddled together in hiding. Fear and doubt filled their minds. Their problem was revealed by the angels at the empty tomb—they had forgotten what Jesus said.
If we are honest, many of us live in fear and doubt rather than in confidence and faith. There are times when our fears have a real foundation. Not all of the things we dread are imaginary. Some are very real. But just as the disciples faced the loss of the Lord, when we face real threats we do not have to give in to hopelessness and despair. Even when all of the evidence, all of our senses, all of our experience, and all those around us say that there is no hope, with God all things are possible.
The faithfulness of God is our comfort and strength in times of distress, but only if we remember what He has promised to do for us. Too often, we allow bad circumstances to fill our minds, so that the only thing we remember is how bad things are. When we stop and recall the unfailing promises we have been given, we will not despair.
Luke 24:5–8
The three days that Jesus was in the grave were dark indeed for those who had followed and loved Him. Despite the fact that He had told them of His impending death, they did not seem to grasp the reality of God’s plan for redemption. As those around them celebrated Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, they huddled together in hiding. Fear and doubt filled their minds. Their problem was revealed by the angels at the empty tomb—they had forgotten what Jesus said.
If we are honest, many of us live in fear and doubt rather than in confidence and faith. There are times when our fears have a real foundation. Not all of the things we dread are imaginary. Some are very real. But just as the disciples faced the loss of the Lord, when we face real threats we do not have to give in to hopelessness and despair. Even when all of the evidence, all of our senses, all of our experience, and all those around us say that there is no hope, with God all things are possible.
The faithfulness of God is our comfort and strength in times of distress, but only if we remember what He has promised to do for us. Too often, we allow bad circumstances to fill our minds, so that the only thing we remember is how bad things are. When we stop and recall the unfailing promises we have been given, we will not despair.
Today’s Growth Principle:
Even in the darkest days, there is hope to be found in claiming the unchanging promises of God.
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