The Death of Hope
April 25, 2011
Easter was yesterday and I love everything that it means. Hope, love, life.
Three days earlier was Good Friday, the day that Jesus died, and I couldn’t get one thought out of my head. At what point did the hope that Jesus would overcome die for His followers? These men and women had walked with Jesus for the past three years. They saw him feed thousands, walk on water, even raise a man from the grave, but when Jesus finally breathed his last, they all just walked away. They felt as though it was over. All I’ve been thinking about was at what point did they give up? Was it when he was arrested? At the clang of the first nail being struck? When Jesus said “It is finished”?
I hold out hope till all hope is gone. I believe any situation can turn around. I relationship will survive. A person will change. A job will get better. If I was there, I would be thinking, “He’s going to come down. He can do it. He won’t let this happen. He’s going to show everyone who he is. Please come down. Please don’t die.” I can only imagine the crushing blow the disciples must have felt when Jesus let go. I would have doubted everything. His power. His love. His legacy.
Are there moments in your life that you give up on something you’ve been praying for? Were you praying that God would heal your marriage only to think He never heard your prayers when the divorce papers came? Were you praying that God would provide for your bills only to think He didn’t care when you got laid off? Were you praying that God would heal your father from cancer only to think He’s cruel when your daddy passed away?
God does not leave us without hope. Your dreams may die. Your life may feel over. You may feel like God gave up on you.
But, Sunday is coming.
Even though it felt over that Friday. Even though it seemed as though everything was meaningless and gone. God was still working. On Sunday, He rose from the grave. Death could not keep Him. Your divorce does not mean you are unloved. Your unemployment does not mean you are worthless. Your father’s death does not mean you are without a father.
It may not be how you expect it to turn out, the pain and grief may be real, but He has an Easter morning for your life planned.
What can I pray for you about today?
