HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 181
page A179
What can I do when things seem hopeless?
• 1 SA MU E L 1 :1 0 | Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord.
You can pray. In the middle of Hannah’s hopelessness, she prayed to God, knowing that if
any hope were to be found, it would be found in him.
• A C T S 1 6 :2 4 -2 5 | The jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the
stocks. Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God.
You can worship. Paul and Silas were on death row for preaching about Jesus, yet in this
hopeless situation they sang praises to God. Why? Because they had an eternal perspective.
• PR O VE R B S 1 0 :2 8 | The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the
wicked come to nothing.
You can focus on eternity. No matter how hopeless things seem here on earth, in Jesus
you have ultimate, eternal hope. People who don’t know Jesus Christ have nothing but
a hopeless view of what happens after death. Those who know him have been promised
a joyful eternal future in heaven, and that knowledge brings hope.
• PSA L M 2 7 :1 4 | Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous.
You can remember that God’s timing is perfect.
You can persevere by putting God first, because when you follow where he leads, you
know you will be going in the right direction.
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• H A G G A I 1 :9 | “You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your
harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the Lord of Heaven’s
Armies, while all of you are busy building your own fine houses.” (See note on page 841.)
• DA NI E L 3 :2 3 -2 8 | So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the
roaring flames. But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed
to his advisers . . . “Look!” . . . “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire
unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as
he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego stepped out of the fire. . . . The fire had not touched them. Not a hair on
their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell
of smoke! Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the
king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their
own God.
Don’t panic! Start praying. You’ll discover God’s presence.
• I SA I A H 2 6 :3 | You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are
fixed on you!
• MAT T H E W 6 :3 1 -3 3 | “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What
will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but
your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all
else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Focus on God. Keep praying. You’ll discover God’s peace.
• R O MA NS 1 2 :1 2 | Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Remember God is sovereign and loving. Be patient and prayerful. You’ll discover the joy of
knowing he cares for you.
• R O MA NS 1 5 :4 | Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the
Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be
fulfilled.
Read God’s Word. Learn how to apply it to your life. You’ll discover the power of God’s
promises.
• PSA L M 3 1 :2 4 | So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!
HelpFinder
How can I maintain hope in discouraging circumstances?