The name Stuart Bee might not mean anything to you at all. 

He made the headlines towards the end of November last year when he took his motorboat along the Florida coast and went missing. Unfortunately his boat developed technical problems, filled up with water and capsized.

After he failed to return, his family reported him missing to the local authorities and the coast guard ran patrols and even sent a Hercules C-130 aircraft to search for him without any success.

Eventually, some two days later, he was rescued by a passing container ship 86 miles from shore.

Stuart was discovered clinging onto the only remaining section (the bow) that remained above water while he waited and hoped for help to arrive.

Keep a grip on hope

Jeremiah writes this:

“I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I’ve swallowed. I remember it all—oh, how well I remember— the feeling of hitting the bottom. But there’s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:

GOD ’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with GOD (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left.

GOD proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from GOD. It’s a good thing when you’re young to stick it out through the hard times.

When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face. The “worst” is never the worst.

Why? Because the Master won’t ever walk out and fail to return. If he works severely, he also works tenderly. His stockpiles of loyal love are immense.”

(Lamentations 3:19-33 MSG)

Keep a grip on hope

Jeremiah was lamenting the loss and destruction of Judah, Jerusalem and the Temple at the hands of the Babylonians.

He was at rock bottom, feeling like he had lost everything.  However one thing that he had certainly not lost was hope. He says;

“But there’s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope.”

He reminds himself and us:

“GOD ’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with GOD (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left.”

Can I encourage you – no matter what your circumstances, health, family, job or financial situation – no matter what you’re facing – keep a grip on hope!

Wait for hope to appear

Jeremiah continues to encourage the Israelites writing; “Wait for hope to appear” and Paul reminds us that;

“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations.” (Romans 4:18)

Abraham and His wife Sarah were unable to have children and yet God had promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations.

In their old age, having waited many years – Sarah became pregnant with Isaac and the rest of course is history…

Sometimes we have to wait for hope to appear…..

Keep a grip on hope

Can I encourage you right now – don’t lose hope. 

Keep a grip on hope!

In challenging seasons and difficult days we simply must hang onto hope!

Even when things look impossible – we must remember that God is in control and has a plan and that better days lie ahead.

We must believe, like Abraham, that God will come through for us and that the solution, the answer, the door opening and His provision is on its way.

We must believe that the breakthrough, healing or restoration that we long for is coming.

We must remember that God sees us and and has not forgotten us.

Put your hope in God for you will yet praise Him

I often remind myself, during the challenging seasons, of what the Psalmist said;

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God.” (Psalms 42:5)

The day will arrive, when you and I are able to praise Him as we look back at what He has done.

In the meantime – keep a grip on hope.

 

WHERE DO I FIND THIS HOPE?

Perhaps you’re wondering – where do I  get this hope from Simon?

I believe that it comes from my relationship with Jesus Christ. 

He is the hope of the world and in Him I discover fresh hope every day. 

He is everything I need right now and He also wants to be your Saviour and friend. 

Just invite Him into your life

If you’d like to know Him and experience fresh hope, then simply invite Him into your life by praying this prayer to Him.

(Prayer is simply talking to Jesus as if He was with you in the room – which of course He is)

“Jesus – I need some fresh hope right now – and so I invite you to come into my life, please reveal yourself to me and guide me through this crazy season.”

What next?

• If you’ve prayed that prayer then Jesus has heard it and will come into your life and restore hope and you will discover a new dimension to living.

Please let me know if you’ve done that and I’ll help you and encourage you on your faith journey. 

You can email me at revlawton@gmail.com

• If you haven’t felt ready to pray that prayer but would like to discover more about the Christian faith then why not join an online Alpha course

 

Whatever you’re facing right now stick with God and keep a grip on hope.