If you are feeling discouraged and disheartened, you are in need of hope. A biblical hope focuses on what Christ can do when faced with unprecedented trials, severe loss, and disillusionment. I wrote this to someone special who has been experiencing a lot of anguish and in the midst of their struggle, felt stuck in the dark. I pray that this letter of hope can lift you up and remind you of the Light of your salvation.
Dear disheartened one,
As I have been praying for you, the word ‘hope’ kept resounding within me. Therefore, I want to encourage you with words of hope focused on only the One who can save, heal, and redeem what is lost – Jesus Christ.
It may be difficult to fully grasp this in the midst of what you have been facing. I cannot begin to fathom the depths of despair you might be feeling and the terrible thoughts that are barraging you. I wish I could be there with you right now to support you and listen; I realize the power to sit with someone to hear their pain and struggle. Please know that while I cannot be physically present with you, I am here with you in spirit – interceding on your behalf.
And so, distressed one, “hope continually” in the Lord (Psalm 71:14a). Have you driven through a dark tunnel? Whenever I encounter a tunnel, I hold my breath and make a wish (I know, I’m such a kid!). At the beginning of that journey, there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. I’m holding my breath through the twists and turns but still, no light. It doesn’t help when a car in front of me is moving as fast as molasses… I’m about to explode!
Despite whether I make it while holding my breath or not, one piece of truth remains – there will be light at the end of a tunnel. That is a guarantee. I may not know when, but it will come.
The Lord is with you, O desperate one, and He is for you. Our great God is the God of hope who will fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him (Romans 15:13). While it may seem dark with no way out, remember that He is the Light, and in Him, there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). Therefore, the Lord will make a way out by shining a light for you to see. Now, here’s the fascinating part – the light is not just from God but leads back to God as He is the Father of Light (James 1:17). Meaning, you will not only get through this trial (Hallelujah, praise God!) but also, the Lord will be closer to you when this is over. The intimacy with the Lord is another reason to “praise [God] yet more and more!” (Psalm 71:14b).
Therefore, “let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23). Don’t give in to the lies that come through your mind; declare these biblical truths out loud so the enemy will flee. Don’t give up knowing that God is known as El Shaddai – the Almighty One – who does the possible in impossible situations. The Lord revealed this Name first to Abraham to represent His character because He wanted Abraham to know Him better (Genesis 17:1). As Romans 4:18 declares about Abraham, it was “against all [natural] hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations.” Trust in the Lord that He has you and will get you through this.
I hope you know that I am here for you, and more importantly, God is with you! May the Lord bless you, and may His presence be so present like never before. Hope in the Lord!
“But I will hope continually, and will praise you yet more and more.” (Psalm 71:14 ESV)
Love and blessings,
Pastor Nathan
Thank you for being a brother in arms ( prayers ). Hope is what I am clinging to, in Jesus mighty name.
You’re welcome Daniel! May God give you what you need while you wait in hope & in faith.
Hey there!
I just started to understand how to communicate on here on your blog.
I appreciate your well-timely message in these dire times in both public and internal circumstances.
So much can be said about the many attacks and arrow flings from Satan towards Elohim’s people and this nation that we live in, but all the more glory that goes to El Shaddai when he perseveres with us so that we can endure through those naturally impossible trials amd circumstances, and it truly shows that there is indeed a divine creator of everything seen and unseen, who truly does deeply care about us personally and individually.
I have been going through difficult circumstances myself and it really does seem like the near future is both bleak and mysterious, but then I am reminded that there is only one who does know the outcome of every resulted aspect of life for each and every individual at every and all times, and that is who I must trust even through seemingly impossible and dire situations.
Through my own abilities I tend to reconcile through rationality and logical conclusions on each decision and situation, but even with the best mathematical equation formulas, they can only estimate the multitude of possibilities that can conclude in such a given circumstance (even though there is only one real possibility each and everytime).
The deceptive schemes and convincing lies that can come as convoluted thoughts that peer through our simplistic minds and our lack of ability to realize what the spiritual dimension that ripples through our own 3-dimensional realm truly operates and the amount of spiritual influences that are there for objects, places, and even people.
So through my corrupted nature I am quick to forget who and what God’s character is, how much He knows me better than I do myself, and His covenants that He has made to us for both of the conditional and unconditional promises.
Which is why Elohim continues to remind us of who He is and to truly examine where God’s actions have been made in our past situations as well as the other possibilities that could of had occurred.
Through this perspective there can be more gratitude that can be given to Elohim, even for the little things in life.
However, I do truly believe that we were not meant to see into the future of our own individual passages through life, because then that would be a lack of trust and faith in El Saddai who is also named El Roi, Jehovah-Jirah, and Jehovah-Rohi. But he does give us glimpses of the future (dreams, visions, spiritual messages from God, etc.,) and prophecies to hold onto.
“Psa 31:24 – Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”
“Psa 12:6 – The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”
“Pro 17:3 – The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts”
“Isa 48:10 – Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.”
“Psa 89:26 – He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.”
“Psa 103:13 – Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.”
“Psa 103:13 – Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him”
“Pro 3:12 – For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”
“Rom 13:1 – Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”
“Psa 62:8 – Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.”
” Psa 56:11 – In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me
Rev 20:10 – And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
I am also reminded of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in their trial that they had faced from
Nebuchadnezzar in the midst of that blazing furnace and had survived through naturally impossible odds, but God had shielded them from flames and those three survivors stood in front of Nebuchadnezzar without any harm of any kind that had fallen upon the three survivors Daniel 3.
And that is one of many reasons why I appreciate your message on your blog.
Continue to teach the elect and encourage troubled.
I will look forward towards your next blog post.
-Matthew 🐹
Matthew,
It’s great to hear from you! I appreicate your insightful perspective about the future when it comes to your personal circumstances. It is a reminder for me as well, to trust in El Shaddai as He is more than capable to do what He has promised! Thus, we can put our hope in Him, whatever we are facing.
Thank you for the encouragement as it motivates me to keep writing. 🙂
I hope to hear from you soon!