Hope to the HopelessSpeaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: Every person comes across a time when darkness surrounds and a feeling of helplessness sets in. That is the trial of life when you need to not give up your hope, but trust with all your heart that God is in full control. Recall the plight of Ruth. Having lost her husband and with a future full of darkness and uncertainty, her mother-in-law, Naomi was her only shelter and hope. Naomi asked her to go back to her people so that she may remarry and rebuild her life. However Ruth refused to go back to her people leaving Naomi alone and held on to her saying, "Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts you and me" (Ruth 1:16). Because Ruth chose to remain with Naomi, the Lord blessed and honoured her.
We read in the Book of Genesis about an incident. Rebecca told Jacob about Esau's vow to kill him and asked him to leave home and to go to his uncle Laban to stay with him till Esau's anger disappears. Jacob then wandered alone in the wilderness and reached his uncle's home. He held on to the Lord as he went all alone to the new place. The Lord made Jacob a wealthy man and a very great leader. As he was returning after several years, still he held fast to the Almigty God and wrestled with Him, saying, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!" (Genesis 32:26). And the Lord blessed him right there (Genesis 32:29). The Lord made peace to be established between Jacob and his brother Easu.
Today, innumerable young men and women bewail, "Many people come seeking my hand in marriage, but no one accepts me as their life partner. I am advancing in age. Is there no future for me?" "I have written this examination so many times. Instead of success, I see failure after failure. Would not I ever pass the examinations? Is this the end of my studies?" "I am sick all the time. One disease after another chokes me to death. Will I never be restored to health?" "Financial burden crushes me and my family. How long are we to live in debts that we can never discharge?" "I have become a social outcaste. I can no longer live a respectable life. All doors have been barred. Where shall I flee?"
Many youngsters seem to have a hopeless future. It was same in the lives of devout men and women like Jacob and Ruth. But they held fast to the Almighty Lord with unshakeable faith that He would neither leave then nor let them down. So, the Lord honoured them. Today, He desires to honour you as well.
Dear friend, if you want to receive and experience His blessings, firstly, hold fast to Him. There is surely an end to every problem.
"For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off." (Proverbs 23:18)
You will see a miracle at the right time. Remember the precious blood which Christ shed for you on the cross and love Him wholeheartedly. Obey the Lord and keep His commandments. Cling fast to Him. Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow all the days of your life. You will be crowned with goodness and mercy. Let not your heart be troubled!
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
Help me to hold on to you firmly even when everything around me is dark and my future seems to be hopeless. Father, I surrender my entire life into Your precious hands. Take control over me and my life. Lift me up from my lowliness. Give me the heart to love You more and more. Teach me to wait at Your feet, to pray and to read Your Word everyday of my life. I make this humble prayer through Jesus Christ, my Saviour.
Amen. |