A Word of Encouragement to the Hopeless

hope

“I hope so.” I’ve heard that many times; often from my own lips. Of course, when we use the word “hope” we are expressing a desire, but an uncertainty as to the realization of our desire.

“I hope it doesn’t rain.” – Maybe it will, but I’ll take an umbrella just in case.

“I hope I get some good news.” I really would like that, but I am bracing for the worst.

“I hope the preacher doesn’t preach too long today.” Oh, who are we kidding?!?! LOL!

Unfortunately our world is filled with a lot of hopeless people. They feel overwhelmed by circumstances and trapped by insufficient resources. They want to think better days are ahead, but no evidence lies before them. The best a hopeless person can do is just survive.

Maybe you are one of those hopeless people. Your circumstances seem insurmountable and your abilities to cope with those circumstances seem seriously lacking. The good news is that the Biblical concept of hope differs 1800 from our contemporary definition. Our hope is uncertain and subjective, but Biblical hope is objectively assured. When the Bible speaks of a hope, it speaks of something that is guaranteed.

Allow me to poke a pinhole in the dark wall of hopelessness and shine a laser beam through it in the form a Bible verse.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. – Romans 15:13.

Don’t miss that last phrase: “abound in hope.” Not have a little, not just enough to get by, but ABOUND. More than you need. Overrunning. Excessive. God offers the hopeless not just a ray of hope but a blinding floodlight. That pinhole in the dark wall becomes a shaft of warm, life-giving light.

First, notice the source of hope: God. He is the God of hope. Our hope does not lie in our abilities, resources, or even in the betterment of our situation. HE is the creator, author, and bestower of hope. When you feel hopeless, turn to Him and rest squarely in the knowledge that He is good and that He is in control. By the power of His holy Spirit, He will give the abundance of assurance.

Second, see the results of the hope God gives – He fills with joy and peace. Joy is not dependent on circumstances, but rather a settled inner assurance that no matter how things look at the moment, when God decides to change it, He will…for the better. Peace is not the absence of hostility or anxiety, but the quiet heart that rides out the storm knowing who is the Master of the Wind.

Finally, notice how that hope is appropriated – in believing; that is our part. I have often defined faith as “an active trust in all that God has said concerning His person, His promises, and His precepts.” To live in hope, we choose to believe what we KNOW about God over how we FEEL in our circumstances.

Tony Evans says it this way:

“Faith is acting like it is so, even when it’s not so, in order that it might be so, simply because God said so.”

In those hopeless moments, return to the light that God’s hope gives. Choose to trust Him and He will bring you through your storm.

 

What to Do When Two or Three Are Gathered Together

I love corporate prayer.  Few things compare to interceding alongside other believers.  Even since my days of youth I have enjoyed prayer meeting.  Having said, however, there is a Bible passage that is often mistaken for a verse about prayer.

Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” – Matthew 18:19-20

While encouraging group prayer is always a GOOD thing, using this verse to do it omits another very important Biblical instruction: dealing positively with another believer who has sinned against you. A quick reading of the preceding verses in Matthew 18:15-18 clearly reveals the context in which Jesus was speaking.

These verse indicate what a believer is to do when another believer sins against him.  Notice the catalyst for this confrontation – SIN, not disappointment, disagreement, or difference.  When another believer doesn’t measure up to our expectations or does something with which we disagree, then we are called to exercise forbearance and patience, but when the offense is clearly a SIN against us we are instructed to take positive and proactive steps.

First we are to lovingly confront the believer and make him aware of his sin against us.  Hopefully, at that stage reconciliation is achieve and the matter is over.  If not, then the offended believer is to take two or three people to attest to the fact you tried to resolve the issue peaceably.  If that doesn’t work, then it is time to hold the sinful brother accountable to the congregation.

These steps seem incredibly uncomfortable because we so seldom employ them.  Most of the time, we ignore the offense and allow the sinful brother to continue in his sin. Quite often his sins grow increasing egregious, because no one lovingly confronts him.  Still other times, we skip the private first step and we bring a “posse” to the one who has offended us and we attack him in a group setting.  That always creates more hostility rather than fostering reconciliation.

Taking the prescribed Biblical steps honors God, shows respect to fellow believers, and testifies to the Grace of Christ.  It is simply the RIGHT way to do things.  When two brothers in Christ come together when once there was disharmony, the presence of Christ is evident in their union, and the testimony of Christ to the lost world is encouraged.  Sure, it is great to pray together as believers, but it is even greater to come together Biblically when one believer has sinned against another.