Hopefulness in Hopelessness

Scriptures: “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)

For the last few days, there has been no news but the reports of the wild fire throughout Southern California. The TV news broadcast brings in the pictures of fire; of people fighting fires courageously; of heartbroken people returning in tears to ashes and whatever left after the devastation; and of people moving aimlessly around stadium, not knowing where to go or what to do next.

The faces of those heartbroken and displaced people showed helplessness. Their cherished homes, the love and work of their lifetime efforts, the place they look forward to for comfort and restoration at the end of every busy and hectic day, were destroyed and they were not even given sufficient time to pack and leave. Many of them were given the order to leave at moments’ notice. I heard a lady saying that, “In 20 minutes, we had to go from being asleep to being out of the house.” How panic and scared they must have been! Their lives were literally shattered by these wild fires.

But, in the midst of all these helplessness and hopelessness, someone had a different take on them. A couple of sisters in Christ sat before the ruin of the Malibu Presbyterian Church and shared their hope in spite of the destruction and devastation. One of them even quoted the Bible that says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) Yes, God is still in charge and He still plans to carry out His plan of salvation! Praise the Lord!

She further commented that, even though the church building was destroyed by the fire, the church continued their weekday meetings and fellowships. They were hopeful, not because of what lied before them, but because of the Lord they knew.

What a contrast! I can’t help thinking, as destructive and undesirable as these fires are, the hopelessness and helplessness shown were not results of the devastation. They were simply revealed by these disasters. People need the Lord! Without Him, we may never have true and lasting peace or hope and we will be just like those whose hopes are only in this world and in this life.

But, you know what? Jesus sees them; He feels their pain, their fear, and their sense of inability; He knows their needs, and “He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36) And He wants to call out to them, to comfort them, and to fill them with the eternal joy, peace and hope that only He can provide. And, so, He first called out to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

Today, more than ever, they need to know Jesus; they need to know there is hope in the face of all these formidable destructive force; and they need to know life is more than what they see, own and lost in this world. They need to know, with Jesus, they can ALWAYS be hopeful!

Our challenge is: Will we spread the message right where we are? May God help us all!

Prayer Requests:
For those physically, mentally and spiritually displaced, regardless of the cause.

Prayer:

Our loving Lord, we want to come before You and lift up those displaced people in our communities to You. We ask that You hold them up in Your loving arms and carry them through this difficult journey and help them realize that You alone are their hope and their healer. Help Your children to be Your arms and feet that carry Your comfort and provision to provide their needs in life, physical and spiritual. Thank You for being so faithful and merciful to us. We ask all of these in Jesus’ name, Amen!