Have you ever experienced hopelessness? People who suffer from chronic physical conditions can be very vulnerable to this hopeless feeling that things will never get better. Many people in our day experience hopelessness. People who are lonely; people who are hungry; people who can’t see anything good in their future. Does the Bible have anything to say about this? Yes! Today, let’s take a few moments and listen to what the psalmist David said when he was on the brink of despair:
Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me in a level path because of my foes. Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence. I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD. (Psa. 27:11-14)
In today’s passage, David tells us that he is surrounded by real flesh and blood enemies who wanted to track him down and kill him. David cries out to God, pleading with Him to be rescued. David says he would have despaired but for this one thing: he believed. What did he believe? He believed in God. He believed in God’s goodness. And he believed he would experience God’s goodness in his present circumstances. He then gives you and I and all who will listen some very good advice. Let’s listen to it again: "Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD." When we are in trouble, when our lives are about to fall apart or when trials begin to overwhelm us—we need to wait for the Lord. Get quiet and wait. I like the way the GNT says it: "I know that I will live to see the Lord's goodness in this present life. Trust in the Lord. Have faith, do not despair. Trust in the Lord."
Allow God to strengthen your heart and give you courage. If you will wait for God and wait with God, He promises to expand the dimensions of your faith and give you new strength to trust in Him for your present circumstances...and that is very Good News!
“When the bottom falls out and disappointments come, you will learn what you believe, what you love, and what you treasure.”