For When You Lose Sight of Hope

The most glorious promises of God are generally fulfilled in such a wondrous manner that He steps forth to save us at a time when there is the least appearance of it. 
~C. H. von Bogatzy  

Adam and Eve doubted God had given His best to them (Genesis 3).

As he fled from Saul, a hunted man, David couldn’t see how he would ever be king as God promised (much of 1 Samuel; Psalm 18).

Abraham and Sarah, old and at the end of natural child-bearing age, attempted to help God fulfill His promise of numerous descendants by having an heir through Hagar (Genesis 16). 

The Israelites repeatedly questioned God’s protection and provisions for them after they fled Egypt, even after experiencing His glorious rescue through the Red Sea (Exodus 14—17).

As I look into biblical history, it’s fascinating and disheartening to realize we haven’t deviated much from that first fruit that fell to Satan’s tempting.

How different are we from the doubt of Adam and Eve, from the fear and insecurity of David (even after he became king), from the pride of Abraham and Sarah, from the questioning and arrogance of the Israelites? 

We still question, doubt, fear, and develop plans apart from God. We still struggle with daily sin. 

We still wonder: Where is God? Why isn’t He doing something to alleviate this pain? What is the purpose of my struggles? Why is He waiting so long? 

Finding Hope When We Can’t See God

In the middle of the mess, engulfed by the haze of life, we often lose sight of hope because we lose sight of God.

In the middle of the mess, engulfed by the haze of life, we lose sight of hope because we lose sight of God. Click To Tweet

The God who said He’d always be there. The God who promised to remove our sins “as far as the east is from the west.” The God who gave up His own Son’s life for ours.  

Yet as we stumble through life, having difficulty seeing Him or feeling His presence, the Lord never loses sight of us, nor does He ever leave us.

Just as God fulfilled His promises to the patriarchs of old in miraculous fashion often in the midst of their despair, so we can expect a wondrous fulfillment in our own lives. 

Because Yahweh isn’t just the God of the ordinary and obvious; He also works in the extraordinary and miraculous. And that’s where we lose sight of Him.

Yahweh isn't just the God of the ordinary and obvious; He also works in the extraordinary and miraculous. Click To Tweet

But that’s where we can experience the adventure of our faith as we hold onto His covenant.

So if you are struggling today, grasp tight to His hem. His miraculous deliverance is coming. Just as promised. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100:4-5)

Reflection: I’ve found journaling to be a wonderful exercise and faith tool because I can look back and see God’s hand on my life. How do you hold onto the promises of the Lord when storms mask His presence?

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