WHEN ALL HOPE IS GONE

“And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.” (Acts 27:20)

Have you ever felt your hope die? You can know hope is dying when you hear yourself say the word “never”: “I’ll never make it through this difficult situation. I’ll never get pass the hurt that person caused me. I’ll never get married. I’ll never get that job. I’ll never have children. My child will never get their life together.”

Do you have a “never” situation in your life right now that’s caused you to feel “all hope” is gone? You’re certainly not alone. We read about many in God’s Word who demonstrate for us how to never say never. I want to remind you of two of them . . .

PAUL REFUSE TO DESPAIR, BUT BELIEVED GOD’S PROMISE.

One of the greatest men of faith in the Bible, the Apostle Paul, found himself in predicament where most would have given up. In our verse for today, The Bible tells of the situation Paul, and close to 300 men found themselves facing. They were on a ship on a dark night in a horrific storm. Again, Luke described it this way, “. . . all hope that we should be saved was taken away.” What do you do when hope dies and you’re ready to give up? You follow Paul’s example.

When everyone else on board the ship that night had lost hope, the Scripture says Paul stood and said, “Sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me” (Acts 27:25). Notice the phrase, “even as it was told me”. What did he mean by that? Who told Paul what? The Lord had told Paul earlier that he would go to Rome.

Paul simply believed what the Lord had promised him. Paul’s focus was on God’s promise to him and not the storm that threatened him. What was the result? Paul and every man on board that ship made it safely through a difficulty that seemed hopeless!

Why? Paul was relying on the Lord and not his feelings. Paul believed what the Lord had told him and that enabled him to look beyond the present, life threatening, circumstances. Nothing is more reliable than God’s Word! What do you do when hope dies and you’re ready to give up? You rely on what God has promised in His Word.

ABRAHAM REFUSED TO PANIC, BUT STOOD UPON GOD’S PROMISE!

The Bible says, “By faith Abraham, when he was tried (tested), offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son. Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting (believing) that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead…” (Heb. 11:27-19). WOW! After Abraham and Sarah waited years for a child, God gave them Isaac.

And then,

God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.

Although Abraham didn’t understand, Abraham refused to panic. Abraham was willing to go through with it and take his son’s life. There are three reasons why he was willing to kill Isaac:

• Abraham believed God could raise his son from the dead (Hebrews 11:19).
• Abraham told his servant, “We’ll be back,” not, “I’ll be back” as he and Isaac headed up the hill for the sacrifice (Genesis 22:5).
• When Isaac asked Abraham, “Where is the lamb we will sacrifice?” (Genesis 22:7)

Abraham answered, “The Lord will provide” (Genesis 22:8)

How could this man, Abraham, even entertain the thought of taking his son’s life? It’s simply because his focus was upon the promise of God that through Isaac the promised seed would come. Just like with Paul, Abraham’s focus was on God’s promise to him and not the test that threatened his son’s life. He was convinced God would either spare his son or resurrect him.

What was the result? Isaac’s life was spared and Abraham past the test from the Lord and made it through his never situation!

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

What are you up against today that seems hopeless? Never say never! Take a look in the Book! There’s a promise is the Bible for any and every need you might have today!

Follow Paul and Abraham and get a bulldog grip on a promise from God!

Find 1 of the 1,000’s of promises the Lord has given. Stand by faith on that promise and watch Him work!

When all hope is gone, you too are to focus on His promise, not the circumstance confronting you.
I always lean on this familiar promise when I’m struggling to trust God to get me through. You can too! Here it is . . . “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6).

Think it over…🙏

Doug Pierce is a Church planter and a pastor. In 2003 he started, and continues to pastor First Independent Methodist Church in Madison, Mississippi. His #1 priority is to glorify God in all aspects of ministry. He does this through teaching his congregation to Love God, Love One Another, and Love Others to God. Prayer, outreach, and church growth through evangelism are vital parts of his ministry. He and his wife Suzanne live in Madison, Mississippi where they also enjoy their children and grandchildren.

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