When All Hope Is Lost

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."  Zephaniah 3:17  (NIV)

If we take a trip back in time to the days before Jesus' death on the cross, we might understand a little more about another time in history when all hope was lost, or so it seemed. As I think about that time, I can only imagine several experiences both mentally and emotionally that those involved might have experienced. Let's put ourselves in the shoes of the disciples a day or two before the crucifixion. Jesus seems thoughtful, introspective, not really his usually joyful and playful self. He keeps talking about this event that is coming that we won't understand. What do we do with this! We should be celebrating right - He has told us He came to earth to set up a "New Kingdom" so He is bound to be just on the other side of taking His throne and bringing all this hurt, pain, and mess to an end! Let's celebrate. Why does He not seem to be very excited?

Then the fateful day comes, Jesus hangs on the cross, blood running down His forehead, He is mocked, hurting, and completely broken. I gaze into His eyes and I see something, Hope -could it be? No, it must be my imagination. All hope is lost, this Kingdom He spoke of must have failed. It is not happening! All of this has been for nothing! My heart aches as I see my Master, my Adonai, drifting into uncertain death in the most devastating way possible. I am lost, broken, no longer feeling purpose. For the last 3 years or so I have walked with a man that has changed me in more ways than I can explain. He has shown me my deepest hurts, loved me more than I ever have known, and given me the greatest hope I have experienced. But now, all hope is dead.

Then after three days of the darkest mourning I have experienced, the most empty days of my life, they say the tomb is empty!? Really? My heart jumps, my stomach fills with turmoil, I can't believe it! There's no way, I saw Him die! Then I see His face, still Him, but glowing, a new Hope has risen, a new day is here, a brighter future unveils.

Just when you think all is lost, and there is no hope, remember Hope rose three days later. He can rise again and again for you today! Just when it is darkest, new Hope rises and reminds us that nothing is impossible for a God that always knows the ending. No story is a mystery to Him, He always knows the ending and wants our best. So with those two things in His heart, how can the darkness last forever! Remember Hope today! He remembers YOU!