Monday, March 14, 2011

Hope: An Anchor



Life is hard. From health problems and relationship issues, to the devastation of earthquakes and tsunamis - the cares of life can seem overwhelming. This past week has been surreal. Matters of deep concern for friends and family have been the topic of many phone conversations and text messages. Only days later, news programs relayed mind-numbing reports that continue to be difficult to grasp. Fear and hopelessness appear poised to take over.

Fear is a crippling enemy, with the ability to rob me of peace. When my mind begins playing the 'what if' game, fear gets in on the action, reminding me that I'm not in control. I can't change circumstances and I can't make decisions for others...soon hopelessness joins the game, unbidden. Fear and hopelessness link arms and if given a foothold, can wreck havoc with my mind. Yet, even in the presence of these foes, there IS hope.

Take a look at the life of Job. Listen in on a conversation between the Lord and Satan. "And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?" (Job 1:8; KJV). Job was a good guy. Satan claimed Job was only loyal to God because God had blessed him. Satan asked for permission to destroy all that Job had, reasoning that Job would curse God as a result.

In a matter of 24 hours, Job lost all of his children and all of his oxen, sheep, and camels, in addition to most of his servants. Look at Job's response, "Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly," (Job 1:20-22). Amazing!

Satan was permitted to go one step further and afflict Job's health. Job's wife doubted God's goodness and advised him to curse God and die. "But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips," (Job 2:10).

Job wasn't superhuman. Throughout this forty-two chapter book we see Job falsely accused by his friends, and we witness his hope waxing and waning. Before Job sinks into despair, the Lord appears to Job. He doesn't offer answers to the many questions that have tormented Job. Instead, He poses a series of questions to him. Questions that no human being could answer. The point? God's thoughts and ways are infinitely higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). Even during difficult times, when nothing makes sense, He is still God, and He is still in control.

Following personal tragedy, Job was able to cling to his hope in God and go on. And God blessed Job abundantly, "So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters...After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations." (Job 42:12-13, 16)

Are you experiencing difficulties? Feeling fearful or hopeless? Anchor yourself to the Lord and allow Him to restore your hope!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for being a just, holy, merciful God. I don't always understand why things happen, but it's comforting to know that You are still in control. Comfort all those who are hurting. Forgive me when I give in to fear and hopelessness. Help me to remember Your Word: "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost," (Romans 15:13). I praise You today for who You are. In Jesus' name, Amen.

9 comments:

  1. Hi Maria, I can relate to what you write here, with the news being so stressful, and then family issues arising too. I hope all works out well for you, and the story of Job is very appropriate for us all to ponder.

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  2. Very good advice for these challenging times.
    Blessings for your week,
    Karen

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  3. It is so hard to write an encouraging post after this weeks world events, but you did it Maria. Thank you!

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  4. Terra - Great to see you! God's Word is a constant source of comfort. And very necessary during difficult times. So good to know that He is in control! Psalm 117:1-2 O Praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord.

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  5. Karen - Faith and hope in God are crucial during challenging times! I'm reminded of David's response when he learned that his city had been destroyed and the women and children had been taken away captive: "And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God," (1 Sam. 30:6). What a great example! Hugs & Blessings!

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  6. Marja - Glad this post was an encouragement to you! When things are beyond our understanding, it's comforting to rest in the Lord. His desire is for the people of Japan to come to a saving knowledge of Him. Praying toward that end. Have a blessed week!

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  7. Hi Maria -

    When I look at what's happening in Japan, my troubles pale in comparison.

    I always think back to how the Lord has brought me through tough times. He's not about to abandon me now.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  8. Hi Maria,
    This is such a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing your gifts of faith and encouragement!
    I join you in praying for the people of Japan...for aid & protection; as well as for their hearts, minds and spirits to be filled with the fullness of God's grace!
    I'm so glad to meet you and thank you so much for your sweet comments on my blog. I look forward to more visits with you! Blessings!

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  9. Amen. . . thank you so much for this timely word of encouragement!

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