Have you ever run low on hope? Maybe you’ve felt totally hopeless. I’ve had moments when I came close. But the Lord never lets me stay long in that place. Always he refreshes me.

I found this precious promise: “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint” (Jeremiah 31:25 NIV).

Only the Lord can do that.

He has blessed me with an abundance of friends to encourage me along my journey. As I’ve shared concerns that made my heart heavy, they’ve listened, offered uplifting words, and prayed.

“It will all work out,” they’d say. Their assurance did encourage me…for a time. And then doubt and worry crept in again, leaving my heart heavy once more and running low on hope.

That forced me to seek the Lord…to see what he said.

 “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53).

That should be enough for my situation.

“…with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

I believe it!

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him…” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Lord, you’ve got this!

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God” (Psalm 42:11).

You are my hope, now and forever.

“I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope” (Psalm 130:5).

Lord, I’m not waiting on a circumstance to change. I’m waiting on you to show yourself strong on my behalf.

And so I wait in hope. Why would I wait in hopelessness when I can wait in hope?

I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope” (Psalm 130:5). Lord, I’m not waiting on a circumstance to change. I’m waiting on you to show yourself strong on my behalf. And so I wait in hope. Why would I wait in… Click To Tweet

Travel with me in your imagination to the tomb on Resurrection Morning. Some of Jesus’ friends approached with supplies to give the body a proper burial, since the burial on that dark Friday had been hastened by Sabbath rules. Surely they were feeling hopeless.

Their teacher had been unjustly put to death—a horrific murder by crucifixion for made-up charges.

Imagine their grief as they watched life drain from his battered body. He was their hope—and it died with him.

I doubt there was much conversation as they made their way to the gravesite. Silenced by sorrow, they had no words to express their angst.

Jesus. Messiah. Christ. The Anointed One. Dead! With their own eyes, they’d seen it happen.

What would become of his followers? No one knew. The disciples had scattered, afraid to be associated with this man who had been arrested, subjected to mock trials, and condemned to die.

The women came with sweet spices to anoint the body, not expecting to find hope. But there it was. An empty tomb!

An angel confirmed, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said…go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepluchre with fear and great joy: and did run to bring his disciples word” (Matthew 28:6-8).

Hope!

Jesus had tried to prepare his followers. His death would not be the end of the story, he said. He would rise from the grave. But it was too preposterous for them to believe. It was just too outrageous to hope such an impossible thing could happen. But there was no arguing with an empty tomb.

Jesus had tried to prepare his followers. His death would not be the end of the story, he said. He would rise from the grave. But it was too preposterous for them to believe. It was just too outrageous to hope such an impossible… Click To Tweet

The women ran to spread the news. Jesus lives! Jesus lives!

During the next forty days he interacted with the disciples, inviting one—forever known as Doubting Thomas—to touch the scars in his hands, proving he was indeed the crucified/risen Lord.

He cooked fish for their breakfast. He gave them instructions for how to carry on his mission after he left them and promised another would come—the Holy Spirit—who would comfort and guide them.

Go into all the world and make disciples, he said. And then…in a moment, he was gone. Lifted into the clouds. (See Matthew 28:19 and Acts 1:1-9).

Today he is seated at the right hand of the Father, awaiting the command to return and take his children home. That’s our glorious expectation!

Meanwhile, we deal with the reality of life on this earth, often bringing disappointment and unrest.

Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Feeling hopeless? Don’t even think it. Because Christ lives, we have hope!

Would you tell me about a time when you felt hopeless and how our sweet Lord brought you through it? And I’d be grateful if you’d share this with your friends.

© Dianne Barker 2020

(Scriptures from KJV unless noted)