21 Days of Hope

         “What strength do I have, that I should still hope? 

    What prospects, that I should be patient?” Job 6:11 NIV           

 That's the problem with our current situation. We cannot see the "Big Picture." Neither can we see the end from the beginning. Job, at the time, had even less knowledge of the future than you and I. How can I say this? Well, because it was long before God displayed his love for us through Jesus’ life, ministry, death and resurrection. Job said, "Though he slay me, yet I will hope in him." If I could time travel I could go back and tell Job, “Guess what? God’s not going to kill you. He's actually going to make restitution and reward you for suffering unjustly." You see, God is not unjust and he's NOT the God of "take away." Oh my goodness! No! That is a whole other subject for another time.

In God's kingdom suffering has a reward. He cannot look on injustice and not respond. The problem lies with us. Have we really put our hope in God? Do we really believe he's good? Job was amazing! He had never seen God's love demonstrated yet he put his hope in God simply because he was God. We, however, know the end of Job's story: He received twice as much as he had lost. We, on the flip side, have Job's example and the power of the cross demonstrating God's richest love toward us. We should know the future is bright but that is the problem with present. It's hard to see ahead when the present is heart-break, anguish and disappointment. Once again, I'm going to challenge you to look ahead with hope. Put your hope in God who has the power to restore and make restitution in the areas of your life that you have experienced injustice. If you are saying, "What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient?" I would say that your prospects are looking really good with God so be patient.