Man’s Only Hope

All too often, humans are consumed by their own concerns, blind to the fact that others may be wrestling with demons far greater. Tragically, I realize that I, too, belong to this selfish majority.

Today, as I sat in quiet reflection, listening to friends unveil their hardships, a wave of shame washed over me. How dare I speak of my struggles when I have been so richly blessed by the hand of God?

This moment has seared a lesson into my soul: to live with a heart overflowing with gratitude.

I thank God, and I give Him praise and honor.

In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, there lies a gentle reminder of how much we need God. Each day brings with it new challenges, heartaches, and moments of despair, but these very struggles remind us that we are not sufficient on our own. The Apostle Paul once wrote, “For in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28), reminding us that without God, we are lost.

We are indeed living in very dark times, where it often feels like hope is but a fleeting shadow. Yet, in this darkness, there is a light that never dims—the word of God. As the Psalmist declared, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). It is this light that guides us through the valley of the shadow of death, giving us direction when all seems lost.

Though I have not seen Him with my eyes, my heart knows Him deeply. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). In the quiet moments of reflection and prayer, my spirit connects with the One who is unseen yet ever-present. He is closer than the air I breathe, and though I haven't seen His face, my soul testifies to His presence.

This Jesus, my Savior, is unlike any other. He healed the one who arrested Him, served the one who betrayed Him, and loved the one who crucified Him. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34), He cried out from the cross. That is my Jesus—a Savior who loves beyond measure, who forgives without limit, and who shows mercy to the undeserving.

God, in His infinite wisdom, has already taken into account all the wrong turns, the mistakes, and the failures of your life. The prophet Micah spoke of God’s mercy saying, “He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19). Quit beating yourself up and accept His mercy. Instead of dwelling on the past, give Him thanks and praise, for His grace is sufficient.

Even in the depths of depression, worship. Even in the grip of anxiety, worship. Even when fear paralyzes you, worship. God offers His peace to those who praise Him. As Paul encouraged the Philippians, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). More of Him and less of you—that is the path to peace.

Life becomes truly peaceful when you rest on the promises of God. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). When you lean on His promises, you find a rest that the world cannot offer—a rest that soothes the soul and calms the storm within.

Christ isn’t man’s last hope; Christ is man’s only hope. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). In Him alone, we find the hope that anchors our soul in the fiercest storm.

Praying hard is praying when it’s hard to pray. When the words don't come easily and your heart is heavy, remember that God hears even the groans of your spirit. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Romans 8:26). 

A man who bears no scars can be a perilous soul. It’s in our losses and the scars we earn that the most profound lessons of life are learned. True wisdom comes not from easy victories, but from enduring failure, carrying the crushing weight of humiliation and shame, and then finding the strength to gather the broken fragments of our lives and press on. As Proverbs 24:16 reminds us, “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” It is through falling and rising that we grow stronger and wiser, so be proud that you fell and got up to try again.

I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow. Hold on to your faith, and don’t give up on God. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). Trust in Him, for His plans are good, and His love for you is everlasting.

With a heart full of thanksgiving, I choose to have hope in the Almighty God.

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” 🙏🏽