Hopeless

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Have you ever felt hopeless? Just down in the dumps? Haven’t we all? I know that from time to time, this life can be cruel and cause us to worry. The ultimate hopelessness is a life without God. There are so many people in this world that do not know the Lord. Take a moment and imagine what that life must be like. All of those who have this emptiness do not know a full life. What problems are there in a life without God? Let’s take some time to discuss two reasons why a life absent from God is hopeless.

#1. Because I have no one on my side. Consider the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 34:16-22. “The face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (v. 16). What a profound thought is discussed here about the ones who have nothing to do with God. Since the Lord is good (Psalm 86:5), what does that tell us about those who are evil? They have no part with God. David gave no hope to the one(s) who set themselves against the Lord.

\Who then has hope? Notice verses seventeen through twenty-two. First, the righteous are heard by the Lord (v. 17). Between verses seventeen and twenty, David describes all that God does to protect the righteous. They are afflicted, but God preserves. Secondly, the Lord redeems the soul of His servants (v. 22).  Is there any redemption found for the one who is outside of God? None is provided, and that tells me that I will be better off with God than against Him.

Another passage to consider about God being on our side comes from the Savior’s lips. That is Matthew 11:28-30. We mentioned that life is rough. Jesus understood this and pleaded with the people to “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.” (v. 28). When life is so burdensome and you just feel like you cannot hope to make it through, take the yoke of Jesus and find rest for your soul (v. 29)! However, the last verse seems very puzzling. “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (v. 30). Paul too would echo this sentiment and call our affliction light and but a moment (2 Corinthians 4:17).

This seems impossible when we consider the context of the suffering that was faced in the first century. Yet, it was because they could lean upon the Lord that the affliction seemed light! What about the wicked? They have no rest. There is not peace for the wicked (Isaiah 48:22). They are like the tossing sea, constantly moving and without opportunity to rest (Isaiah 57:20). Life without God on my side is hopeless.

#2. Because nothing is truly possible without the Lord. In Luke 1:37, we are informed that with God all things are possible. Automatically, we have a contrast in his passage. If all things are possible with God, would it not be fair to say then that nothing is possible without Him? That is not to say that people do not find worldly success without God. I understand all the Hollywood and “famous types” of people that have found success in this world. Have they any success in the next world? How can they? Their entire world is about treasure on this earth and not above (Matthew 6:19-20).

While much will be said about those in this life who succeed from the worldly perspective, nothing favorably will be said to them by God (Matthew 7:23). Do you think that on the Day of Judgment many people will be thinking, “Why did I not take the time to have a life full of God?” These will have no hope – will you?