When Hope is Dashed

The Big Idea: When our hope is dashed, God understands we need to process what’s happening, as His followers did on the Route to Emmaus, encouraging us to turn to Jesus who has faced death and overcome for us.

When Hope is Dashed

A friend was venting. She exclaimed, “King David didn’t speak so kindly about people either!”

Slap all my enemies in the face! Shatter the teeth of the wicked! Psalm 3: 7 NLT

But David always reaffirmed His trust in God when he vented. And David vented directly to God in his frustration, not to others.

The Bible is not full of platitudes

I LOVE the Bible! It is so authentically real!

• It reveals Moses was a murderer first. So was Paul. And others too.
• David talked openly about disappointment, depression and pain.
• Paul spoke of unbearable cold and pain from beatings and missed his friends.

The Bible reveals people processing. It does not mince words revealing their journey, even after trusting in Him, many have suffered terribly. Life is like this.

The disciples didn’t think it would end like this

When Jesus died on the cross, his followers were upset. This was not what they expected.

Peter even denied knowing Jesus.

Two followers of Jesus walked outside of Jerusalem to a village called Emmaus (Luke 24:13-34).

They were talking about everything that had happened. (Luke 24:14) They talked and discussed these things.

Jesus goes incognito

Then Jesus showed up. But they didn’t recognize him. Wearing sunglasses perhaps? Ha!

They tried explaining Jesus’ death and the events that transpired.

We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago. Luke 24:21 NLT

We had hoped

Have you ever felt that way?

• I had hoped it would not come to this
• I had hoped to make a career of this job
• I had hoped this person was “the one”
• We had hoped my dad would live till we had children

We had hoped.

We had hoped.

Hope deferred is sickening

It’s hard when we cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick. Proverbs 13: 12a NLT

We grieve. We feel pain. We lament. We are human.

But this is not the end of the story.

Jesus has overcome

The stranger who turned out to be Jesus explained.

Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24: 26-27 NLT

Jesus, who lives yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8 ) wove together how the Old Testament pointed to His life, death and resurrection. I would have loved to listen in on that conversation!

 

Jesus has overcome even death

But Jesus has overcome.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NLT

We have trials. We suffer. We experience grief. Often days get better but life is hard. Jesus wants to give us peace in the midst of pain, and HOPE for eternity.

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. Romans 15:14 NLT

We look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. Titus 2:13 NLT

Vent to Jesus

You can vent to Jesus. (Matthew 11:28 "Come to me all you who are weary...") Leave it with Him. Fix your eyes on Him and remember He has overcome.

In the midst of your doubts, your grief, and disappointments that overwhelm you, walk with Jesus. He has risen from the dead and will walk with you on your journey.

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Up next: The Most Remarkable After-Death Experience
Previous post: ‘Twas the Night before Easter

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Reflect:

1. Think of a time you struggled with God, if He cared, or His existence. What were your questions for Him? Is it resolved or do you still have doubts?

2. Read these 3 verses several times slowly and reflect on them. Pray about what they say.

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. Romans 15:14 NLT

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. Ephesians 1:18 NLT

We look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. Titus 2:13 NLT

 

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