What strength do I have that I should continue to hope?
What is my future, that I should be patient?
Is my strength that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?
Since I cannot help myself, the hope for success has been banished from me.
Job 6: 11-13
God created us to feel every emotion we as humans will experience in our lifetime. We never want to be so dead inside not to grieve. Tears are actually a gift…they take us to a place that words cannot. And they bring healing, yes, much healing. As much as this may hurt or cause us discomfort, can you imagine if you weren’t allowed to cry and grieve?
As Jesus’ followers, the world that we live in causes us to grieve on a daily basis. Then hope and faith are found also, when we rely solely on God the Father and Jesus the Son to fill us. That which we lost, we gain in Him.
Job’s thoughts hit home. “What strength do I have…since I cannot help myself, so all hope for success has been banished.” When we feel God has let us down, or didn’t answer the way we wanted, we feel like Job—hopeless because we have no control over the outcome. We cannot always help ourselves. But He can! He is always the answer! He is always your strength! The best part is this:
Life’s outcomes aren’t dependent on you…
Your future lies in His hands, His capable, strong hands.
Need proof? Let’s go to The Word:
Be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24
I will praise You forever for what You have done.
In the presence of Your faithful people,
I will put my hope in Your name, for it is good.
Psalms 52:9
__________, {put your name here} put your hope in the Lord.
For there is faithful love with the Lord, and with Him is redemption in abundance.
Psalm 130:7
Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.
Romans 12:12
I pray that the perception of your mind may be enlightened
so you may know what is the hope of His calling.
Ephesians 1:18a
Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering,
for HE WHO PROMISED IS FAITHFUL.
Hebrews 10:23 (emphasis mine)
Pain will fill our lives in different seasons and we will have loss in this life. So we must grieve when we need to but we must not be hopeless. Because His hands control everything and in Him is so much hope. Sadness? Yes we will feel it, but we will be happy and full of joy again. Why? Because He promised us! And He can be trusted, even when you can’t trust anyone else.
He will bless you and He will love you.
And there may be sadness right now…
but joy comes in the morning!
* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *
Do you know that God loves you so much that He sent His only Son to die in your place? And He would’ve done this for just you if it meant that you would live with Him forever. Jesus is waiting to come into your heart. Today is the day for change! Ready?
Let us pray:
God, I know I am a sinner. My life is out of control and I am so tired. I need You to be my God. I believe that Jesus is Your Son. You sent Him to die in my place so that my sins are forgiven. I will get to live in Heaven with You forever. Walk with me through this hard life and bring me into the light. In Jesus’ name, amen.
