HOPE

October 22

Hope is a precious commodity. It is the staying power that gets men through tough times. It is the stuff from which heroes are made. Countless examples could be sited of individuals who put their hope in Jesus when they were in seemingly hopeless situations and such stories inspire others when their circumstances are dire.

Think of a prisoner of war in a filthy cell, deprived of nourishing food, beaten to within an inch of his life, denied human contact except that of his tormentors and we get a glimpse of real despair. But myriad accounts exist of men in such circumstances who maintained hope because of scripture verses they’d memorized in Sunday school.

When the Word is hidden within a heart, it is there to inspire and to encourage, even when ones situation is abysmal. Like David in Psalm 42:5 the oppressed may say, “Why are you downcast, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”

In his letter to the Roman believers Paul prayed, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). May we add that prayer to those we pray for our brothers who are cast down, for hope is a remarkable ‘elevator of the soul.’