Hopeless

I was just thinking about - - -

One of the saddest words in our language is the word Hopeless. It is pregnant with negative feeling and despair. It represents one who is looking at life, circumstance, or situation and sees no resolve or benefit in moving forward or going on to a new level.

There is a Column today by Cal Thomas entitled, Misplaced Hope Can Be Dangerous. He is focused on the politics of our day and the Presidential aspiration of one proclaiming HOPE as a theme and banner for our future as a nation. Some of the Cal Thomas poignant statements are:

Hope must be grounded in objective truth otherwise it quickly becomes wishful thinking. I might hope my team wins the championship, but if they lack the talent it isn't going to happen. I might hope to win the lottery, but I don't play and if I did, I'd have better odds of being struck by lightening than taking home the jackpot.
Placing hope in politicians absolves too many of us of our responsibilities....
What we see in (Candidate A) is a man with great rhetorical skills, who is untested in battle. Many are projecting their hopes on him because he makes them feel good. What commander would put a low-ranking officer in charge of all troops during wartime? We are close to making (Candidate A) our commander in chief with no hint of how he might perform, other than to withdraw troops from Iraq.

Hope is a religious/spiritual word. It reflects on the availability of help and deliverance. It believes in a power and resource outside of ones own abilities. In Hebrews 11:1 and 6 we find these words: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen...And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek him." This is not pie in the sky thinking. This is believing in an Absolute - it is believing in The Eternal God. This happens only By Faith and part of the benefit and result is the reality of Hope in the midst of despair and helplessness.

Does this mean that every negative situation or circumstance will be reversed and become a positive? No! Does this mean that God will always give you what you think you need? No! In Numbers 11, there is the account of the children of Israel complaining about having to eat Manna every day. They wanted other food - and - said so. The Scriptures indicate: God granted their request but sent leanness to their soul. The focus one needs and should always pursue is found in the words of some Hymns:

My HOPE is in The Lord, Who gave Himself for me.
And paid the price for all my sin, At Calvary.

My HOPE is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean of Jesus' name.

I love the words of assurance in Romans 5:5 through 8, "...hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly...God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Key phrases in the Scriptures for our embrace and reflection: Fret Not! Do not Worry! Be anxious about nothing! Have Faith in God! Hope does not make you ashamed!

Think about this with me - - -