Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping. (Romans 4:18)

A terrible storm raged across the Adriatic Sea for many days as Paul traveled to Rome. It blotted out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone. (Acts 27:20)

We all lose hope for different reasons. And sometimes the situations we are in are so dark and overwhelming this world feels like it could literally swallow us. At this moment of complete helplessness and hopelessness, we sometimes let go. We have explored all man-made options. There is nothing left to do… 

And maybe for the first time we are able to hear God’s whisper.

Then God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well full of water. She quickly filled her water container and gave the boy a drink. (Genesis 21:19)

After Hagar was forced to leave her home she walked until she was out of water and her and her child were about to die. She was at the end… and that is when she heard God speak and He opened her eyes. He didn’t magically make a well appear or change her location. She had what she needed in front of her the whole time but she just couldn’t see. So “God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well full of water.”

I believe in every circumstance, whether we see it or not, we have access to all that we could possibly need. Jesus says, “But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” (John 4:14)

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. (Romans 5:6)

When Jesus began His three-year ministry on this earth, the Jews were being oppressed by the Romans. The coming of the Messiah was supposed to free the Jews from this physical oppression, but when we saw only two options as a way of life (Jew or Gentile; dominant or oppressed; victor or slave), Jesus gave a third option: Life to the Fullest no matter the circumstance. It was no longer about physical comfort or status; this became irrelevant. We were given an opportunity to walk with God on this earth once more. Our friendship was restored! (Romans 5:10)

Here is a thought of caution: Are we worrying more about oppression right now than we are about God’s will? Evil – wickedness – sin has existed on this earth since the fall. Cain and Abel are two brothers of the same race and family. One still managed to kill the other out of jealousy. We are fighting the wrong battle if we make this about some earthly agenda; we just become part of the noise. Jesus didn’t come to this earth to “straighten the Romans out” in a “let’s get this world running properly” with kings and a hierarchy of people and methods. He pointed us to God – fully. 

For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. (John 6:38)

And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:5)

I read an interesting piece by Oswald Chambers over the weekend about sin vs. sins. Are we focusing on individual sins instead of the heredity of sin? Redemption saves us from the heredity of sin, that sinful nature into which we were born. Purity comes from His Spirit, not from our attempts. When we make redemption about our sins and attaining some sort of standard, we belittle Calvary. Jesus died to save us from the heredity of sin… all of us. We are “condemned to salvation” – Oswald Chambers.

Do you remember the story of Moses lifting up the bronze serpent in the wilderness (Numbers 21:9)? God offered healing to any person who looked at the serpent and believed. It was an act of faith and a gift wrapped up together. 

Jesus offers us the same healing. Anyone who looks to Him and believes will be saved. It’s an act of faith and a gift… the most glorious gift we could ever imagine. 

He is our hope when it feels there is nothing left and evil seems to be winning. Evil will not get the last word. God made sure of that and sacrificed His Son to show us the depth of His love. 

Jesus gave it all so that we might know God and restore a relationship that was long ago broken. I pray God opens our eyes so that we may see the well of living water flowing within our very beings.

Amen.

Just a couple pics from our camping adventure last week. Nature is such a beautiful reminder of God’s beauty and vastness. Incredible. I put my hope in the Creator of the Universe.