Psalm 25:16-18

Scripture

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged. Bring me out of my distresses. Look upon my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.

Observation

11 years ago I was so lonely and hopeless. I would cry myself to sleep every night. I became so hopeless that I didn't want to live anymore. But God rescued me. Not because of my faithfulness but because of His.

In the darkness it can be hard to find any hope. I know. You would do anything to feel someone's arms around you, anything to feel relief from the affliction. I know. One night I sat crying, curled up in a corner and like David I asked God if He would just hug me. I had never experience a touch from God, but at rock bottom you are willing to try anything. And when God touched me, I am telling you I felt comfort like I had never known.

7 years later I was in school to become a counselor. Not many people know that. Yes, while I was leading worship for children's ministry on the weekends, and was a Materials Manager during the day, I was also going to school 3 nights a week. When my psychology teacher asked me why I wanted to go into counseling, I remember that my throat couldn't hold back the tears and I said "I know what it's like to be hopeless, and I want to spend the rest of my life offering hope to others". God helped me see that He is Hope, and reflecting Him gives Hope to others.

Application

Jesus came to give hope, real hope. I say real hope, because there is also a false hope. People with often put their hope in things, people, and even dreams. Inevitably those things fail. People will fail you, things will become old and broken, and dreams never turn out as good as the false hope you placed in them. So this is a good time to examine my heart and see if there is anything or anyone in my life that I have placed my hope in instead of Christ.

Prayer

Jesus, You are the hope of the world. We were all walking around in darkness and sin, all with one destination, eternal punishment. But You came as the Light, You showed us how to walk, how to live, and how to be free. You came so that we might know that we are loved by a faithful God. I pray for all the hearts that feel like they can't go on, the ones that feel forgotten, the outcasts that have been thrown away by someone they believe loved them. Holy Spirit touch them today the way that You touched me. I may not know their names or their face, but You do Lord, and I know it is your desire that they would walk in joy instead of hopelessness.