22010.220 Hope in Times of Despair

“And all those who knew Jesus stood at a distance, the women who had followed him from Galilee, saw these things.” —Luke 23:49

Those who knew and loved Jesus stood at a distance trying to understand what they were seeing. However, what appears to be the worst they could have imagined, is in actuality the very best that can possibly be! Is not this life for many of us? We stand in a bereaved silence, stunned, staring at a particular circumstance that has crossed the path of our lives and quite literally taken our breath away. How can something so devastating turn out to be good? Though we know God has good plans, the “whys” of life often echo loudly in our minds, drowning out any thoughts of a higher purpose for good, oftentimes leaving us without hope. 

Paul’s words encourage us:

“For now we see in a mirror indirectly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known.” —1 Corinthians 13:12

“Now” we suffer from incomplete knowledge. It will only be when “now” becomes “then” that we will understand fully and have all of our questions answered. The “in part” that we can comprehend and hold on to is His faithfulness to us, love for us, and intentions toward us.

God always has our best interest at heart! The message of the Old Testament reminds us:

“So realize that the LORD your God is true God; the faithful God, who keeps covenant faithfully with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.” —Deuteronomy 7:9

Throughout our seeming devastation, God is in the business of making beauty from our ashes. Indeed, Jesus’ “job description” covers that very issue. We are told by the prophet Isaiah:

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, because the LORD has chosen me. He has commissioned me to encourage the poor, to help the brokenhearted, to decree the release of captives, and the freeing of prisoners, to announce the year when the LORD will show his favor, the day when our God will seek vengeance, to console all who mourn, to strengthen those who mourn in Zion, by giving them a turban, instead of ashes, oil symbolizing joy, instead of mourning, a garment symbolizing praise, instead of discouragement. They will be called oaks of righteousness, trees planted by the LORD to reveal his splendor. —Isaiah 61:1–3

Jesus reads these very words from a scroll handed to Him in the synagogue, proclaiming to His hearers that these words have been fulfilled in their hearing:

“Now Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and, found the place where it is written: ‘The Spirit of the LORD is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to captives and the regaining of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to tell them, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled even as you heard it being read.’” —Luke 4:16–21

Jesus came to proclaim the good news, release the captive, set free the oppressed, and proclaim God’s favor—all of this coming our way by way of the cross.

What appeared as devastation to the onlookers mentioned in today’s verses becomes life to the full.

Become More

Sometimes it is hard for us to understand God’s higher purposes for good when calamities occur. We must hold on to the promise of God’s Word that He will use these things for our good and for His glory. God has a plan and it is always for our good!

“Faith raises the soul above the difficulty, straight to God Himself, and enables one to stand still. We gain nothing by our restless and anxious efforts … It is therefore true wisdom, in all times of difficulty and perplexity, to stand still–to wait only upon God, and He will assuredly open a way for us.” —C.H. Mackintosh

Further Reflection

“To the child of God, there is no such thing as an accident. He travels an appointed way … Accidents may indeed appear to befall him and misfortune stalk his way; but these evils will be so in appearance only and will seem evils only because we cannot read the secret script of God’s hidden providence.” —A.W. Tozer

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