Hope Versus Despair
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesAccording to the dictionary, despair is a loss of hope, which brings about a state of hopelessness. A loss of hope brings about discouragement. Discouragement brings about a loss of courage, hope, and ambition because of obstacles, frustrations and the problems of life.
What can we do to overcome despair in our lives? We can look for hope; but not just any hope. We look for the kind of hope that is based on “the light” at the end of what can sometimes be a very long and dark tunnel (John 8:12; John 9:5; cf. John 1:1-5; John 3:14-21).
The Christian hope is anchored in Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Through His perfect sacrifice on the cross of Calvary and God’s immutable oath that He would honor His promise to Abraham that through him, all nations of the earth would be spiritually blessed (Genesis 12:1-3; Acts 3:19-26; Gal. 3:6-9), our hope is made steadfast and secure (Hebrews 6:10-20).
As William Bradbury so eloquently wrote:
“My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name ….
His oath, His covenant, His blood, support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.”
Brethren and friends, no matter what sort of adversity or challenge that we might face in life, when we fix our eyes upon Jesus and His sacrifice (Hebrews 12:2 NASB), our hope for eternal life is solid and secure (Romans 5).
Hallelujah to God, who sent His perfect Lamb to redeem us from our sins (Romans 5:1-11; Hebrews 9), forever securing our place in eternity with Him (John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:17-21; Revelation 21:1-7).