Hopeless

“Though worn out by your many misdeeds, you never said, ‘It is hopeless’. New strength you found, and so you did not weaken.” Isaiah 57: 10

Is that not a heartening quote? It comes from one of only two times the word “hopeless” is use in Scripture. The other occurrence is in the Book of Sirach (27: 21) where the verse ends with “…but he who betrays a secret does hopeless damage.” Oh, well…at least “hopeless” is good 50% of the time it is used, right?

Wrong. The verse from Isaiah comes in the midst of a condemnation of God of His people who have looked to the world for consolation and new strength, and not in the Lord. The passage goes on to say, “I will expose your ‘justice’ and your works; they (other nations) shall not help you when you cry out, nor save you in your distress.” (Is 57: 12-13)

The lesson in these verses is clear: if you place your trust and hope in anything of this world, you are without hope. The following is a “Litany of Hopelessness” that may put things in sharper relief:

If I hope in the world…… I am hopeless.
If I hope in nations……… “
If I hope in government.... “
If I hope in wealth……… “
If I hope in power……… “
If I hope in people……... “
If I hope in myself……… “

As we look to a future of uncertainty and stress, it is good to know that the word “hope” is used in the Scriptures 181 times. Each time it is used, it provides a contrast between hope in this world (“For he who despises wisdom and instruction is doomed. Vain is their hope, fruitless are their labors, and worthless are their works.” – Wis 4: 11) and those who place their hope in the Lord (“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Rom 15: 13)

Remember my brothers and sisters: “Our hope is in the name of the Lord, who made Heaven and Earth!”

And ONLY in Him.