The Tendency to Give Up

Today's world is desperate for hope. Suicide, drug use, and alcholism have become prevalent, as society looks for an escape from the problems that prevade our lives.
Depression, despair, and discouragement fill the hearts of countless individuals who deem their lives worthless and their circumstances hopeless.

There is a growing tendency to give up, and to give in. People are crumbling under the pressures of every day life and as a result they are bailing out of relationships, jobs, leadership positions, and commitments. Though retreating in defeat may be the easy way out, it is the long way to recovery and fulfillment because it only provides a temporary fix to a deeper problem. A bandaide will only hide burned skin, it can never restore it because burns heal from the inside out. Likewise, people can ease the pain of their hopelessness for a time with human endeavors, but true and lasting healing cannot begin until we recognize that Jesus is the Great Physician, and He alone knows how to heal our pain. Only His prescription for our healing will have a lasting effect.

Job was a man who had every reason to lose his hope and forsake the God who had once showered his life with blessings. In one day his 10 children were killed, his servants were murdered, and his sheep and oxen were stolen by raiding enemies. Following these tragic events, Job "fell to the ground in worship . . . and said "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." (Job 1:20) What an amazing testimony Job had. Even facing the greatest trials of his life, he still offered praise to God because He knew God was sovereign. Later after his friends unjustly rebuked him, his wife criticized him, and his body was afflicted with painful boils, he said, "Though He [God] slay me, yet I will hope in Him." Job was making a conscious decision to put His hope in God. And he was right to hope in God. As a result of His faith, Job's family and fortune were later restored to him. Psalm 34: 4, 19 says, "I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears . . . A righteous man may have many troubles; but the Lord delivers Him from them all."

Today you may be walking through the most desolate desert, the most barren wasteland, or the darkest wilderness you have ever experienced, but do not lose hope. Remember it is only in the dark that you can see the stars. Hannah Whitall Smith wrote, "Somewhere in this trial His will must be hidden, and you must accept His will whether known or unknown . . . Say 'Thy will be done!' again and again. Shut out every thought but the one thought of submission to His will and of trust in His love." Today God wants to renew your hope. Trust Him and don't listen to the devil's lies that your situation will never change. The only thing that never changes is God and since He promises to provide for all your needs and deliver you from all your fears He will prove Himself faithful. The one thing you can count on is that God will never fail to keep His promises to you. With Jesus the best is always yet to come.

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