The longer we wait for something, the more hope diminishes. We wait for a phone call from a job interview and the days keep passing by. We hope for a child, yet another month goes by with disappointment from our bodies. We wait for a loved one to turn their life around, and they continue to make choices that lead to their destruction. The minutes, hours, days, and months stack up, and hope grows fainter.
Jesus Isn't Leaving
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
don't hold back
Martha and Mary lost hope. It was the fourth day since Lazarus had died. He was beyond death. Even a resurrection at day one, two, or three would have been miraculous, but day four? That was beyond impossible. We cannot know what it was like to wait for Jesus, to call out to him, to wait with hope, and then for hope to die. Or maybe we do know what it is like. We have called out for Jesus, we have prayed, we have let him know the situation, but we have had to wait, and in the waiting, our hope has died. So, next time, why bother with hope?
This is where some of you are. Why bother Jesus about anything? It is too painful to hope again. It is one thing when another person disappoints you, but Jesus? That is brutal.
Martha and Mary knew disappointment, pain, and lost hope. That was where they began with Jesus. He came toward them, and they responded and didn’t hold back. If we can be honest about our pain, if we can express disappointment as fully and truly as these sisters did, then maybe, just maybe, we can get to a place where we can hope again.
who else?
Jesus longs to hear from you. The good, the bad, and the ugly. He sees it all, and when we release our words, thoughts, emotions, and more, he meets us with his love, grace, mercy, and power. Who else do we have but Jesus?
Psalm 73:21–26 says, “When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” In the Gospel of John, it says, “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you want to go away as well?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God’” (John 6:66–69).
Jesus is with you. He isn’t leaving. In fact, he sent the Holy Spirit to be with you. He hears you, he sees you, and he longs for you to see him. Meditate on the Scripture from Psalm 73 or John 6 and write down any hope that rises up, even if it is just a glimmer. Hold on to this glimmer and ask the Holy Spirit to expand your hope. God isn’t leaving you.
Watch Session Two
Jesus Enables the Faithful
Daily Question
When have you felt alone recently? How were you reminded that Jesus was still with you?
Comments (5)
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There have been moments recently where I have felt God has been silent. I have prayed for the same things over and over and see nothing happening which makes me feel as if He is not listening at all. It is in these places where I have felt alone and begin to lose hope. Yet, in some way through a message from a friend, a scripture or by the Holy Spirit that God shows me that He is still there, He hears me and that I have never been alone. In these moments, I see that Jesus is with me through the people and the words He sends my way. By remembering His eternal sacrifice to remove the separation from us to Himself, I see that He will do and has done everything to be with us. So, I know that even in the silence He is here.
Amen! God is in the silence.
Shameika, you have a beautiful smile.
I recently felt alone in leadership- so much responsibility, so much to think about, and so many demands. The Holy Spirit reminded me that I was born for this. It’s a part of my purpose, and God gives me all I need to lead because it’s really Him leading through me, and even transforming me through the process.
It is hard to be in the wait, but God is working in so many things to help us, restore us, heal us, guide us, admonish us; our God is so very patient, and I am so very grateful. During hard seasons I didn’t have anything to turn to that made any sense at all, only brought me despair and hopelessness. But our great God was faithful to show me the way to a special church, and woman’s bible study, or gave me a word to cling to, or a friend that reached out. Little bits of hope as I clung to him through the pain and heartbreak. And now on the other side of the wait I have found His Faith, Grace, Peace, and comfort; I have found restoration and healing. Jesus truly is my rock, and my redeemer. Holy Spirit guide me today in your way. Praying for all the ladies reading this bible study and in the waiting right now, may you cling to the Lord Jesus who will deliver you! Oh Glory!
Good morning ladies: It is so good to be together , spiritually connected, regardless that we are not geographically together. I am so grateful for this bible study, and for the team teachers and leaders the Lord has provided to guide us in our journey together. I am looking forward to being together tonight…..have a beautiful day, and Praise God, remember: The Lord is our Shepherd. Let us let him lead us.