Yes, there IS hope!

Pastor David Holwick once shared the following story …

On December 17, 1927, the Navy submarine S-4 was conducting submerged trials off Provincetown, Massachusetts. As the sub surfaced, a Coast Guard destroyer accidentally rammed her, penetrating the hull. The sub quickly began to take on water and sank to the depth of 110 feet.

The crew scrambled to find safety in the unflooded compartments. The 34 who had retreated to the rear, soon died. However, the six men who ended up in the front of the ship remained alive.

In extremely cold water and tangled wreckage, Navy divers worked frantically to rescue the survivors. An approaching storm made the situation even more tension-filled and desperate.

Tapping on the hull, divers were able to communicate with the survivors by Morse Code. With the oxygen supply dwindling, one diver placed his helmeted ear to the side of the vessel and received this Morse-coded message: “Is … there … any … hope?”

Sadly, with no means of safely extracting those held captive in the sub, all six men aboard the S-4 were doomed to die.

This tragedy led to the development of the McCann Rescue Chamber, a large iron bell designed to fit over a submarine’s hatch. With this new technology, the Navy would be able to protect survivors from the surrounding water pressure while extricating from a submerged vessel.

Twelve years after the S-4 sank, the Squalus was conducting test dives off the coast of New Hampshire when it encountered similar problems. Several compartments flooded with water while the sub plummeted 243 feet. This time there were 33 survivors hoping for rescue. Within 24 hours the Rescue Chamber arrived and Navy divers were able to rescue all 33 men. Four of the divers were awarded Medals of Honor.

When things go terribly wrong, when things are not working as they should, when tragedies and accidents happen, when life itself is threatened, the question raised is this: Is there any hope?

I’ve done this often as a minister, but one of the greatest things I’ve had the privilege to experience in more than three decades as a clinical therapist is sitting across from people whose lives were in shambles, look them in the eye, and tell them honestly that there was hope for them! Knowing there is hope, and believing there is hope for them, can make a remarkable difference in the minds and hearts of those going through what many see as hopeless situations. Believing there really is hope can turn the downtrodden and defeated into victors and embolden people to become fearless conquerors.

Reported in the Daily Walk, a story is told of when Alexander the Great was setting out on his conquest of Asia, he inquired into the finances of his followers. To ensure that they would not be troubled over the welfare of their dependents during their absence, he distributed crown estates and revenues among them. When he had thus disposed of nearly all the royal resources, his friend General Perdiccas asked Alexander what he had reserved for himself.

“Hope,” answered the king.

“In that case,” said Perdiccas, “we who share in your labors will also take part in your hopes.” He then refused the estate allotted to him, and several other of the king’s friends did the same.

Martin Luther speaks to the value of hope when referring to the argument that, for a while, separated missionary partners Paul and Barnabas …

“Here it appears either Paul or Barnabas went too far. It must have been a violent disagreement to separate two associates who were so closely united. Indeed, the text indicates as much. Such examples are written for our consolation: for it is a great comfort to us to hear that great saints, who have the Spirit of God, also struggle. Those who say that saints do not sin would deprive us of this comfort. Samson, David, and many other celebrated men full of the Holy Spirit fell into grievous sins. Job and Jeremiah cursed the day of their birth; Elijah and Jonah were weary of life and desired death. No one has ever fallen so grievously that he may not rise again. Conversely, no one stands so firmly that he may not fall. If Peter (and Paul and Barnabas) fell, I too may fall. If they rose again, I too may rise again.”

FINDING HOPE WHEN FEELING HOPELESS …
How have I been able to tell people with wrecked lives that there really is hope for them, and do so honestly?

First, it’s in understanding that the true source of hope is God Himself …

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13

There’s nothing we can ever experience in life beyond God’s ability, control, or power. God loves us and is “for” us, He wants to transform our lives into the likeness of His Son. God cares about the smallest detail of our lives and wants to lead us through all that troubles us …

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives,” Psalm 37:23.

His plan, through Christ, is to lead us into a satisfying life …

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life,” John 10:10.

And while we may experience very real and quite severe problems in this life, there’s nothing too big for Jesus!

“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.

This hope in God our Creator is not just “theological” or theoretical; God has given us power for living, and when our own power isn’t enough, His greater power sees us through …

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline,” 2 Timothy 1:7.

“Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me,” 2 Corinthians 12:9.

Having Christ as our anchor and God as our source of hope is like the story about a man who approached a little league baseball game one afternoon. He asked a boy in the dugout what the score was.

“Eighteen to nothing, we’re behind,” the boy answered.

“Boy,” said the spectator, “I bet you’re discouraged!”

“Why should I be discouraged?” replied the little boy. “We haven’t even gotten up to bat yet!”

Having God as our source of hope literally changes the possibilities for our lives, regardless of the current circumstances.

Another reason I can confidently tell people there is hope for them is knowing that God did not create us as helpless beings, He hasn’t left us without ability in this challenging world. I previously shared this scripture from 2 Timothy 1:7, but take a closer look at it …

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

It’s true that God did NOT create us to be independent and autonomous beings, but rather as interdependent people who help each other and who ultimately rely on His omnipotence. Yet, He has not made us so dependent that we cannot manage getting through much of our days without incredible miracles! He has made us as competent beings and has given us power and the capacity for self-discipline so that we can be good stewards of life and accomplish much. Often, we spend time asking God to do for us that which we’re capable of doing for ourselves. God is not our butler, genie, or servant of any sort, but He is willing to provide us with the grace of His greater strength when our weakness fails to prevail in the trials of life.

A final reason I’ve been able to tell people there is hope for them is because I knew there was help and tools that could be used to help them change their lives. A competent and skilled Christian therapist or counselor can bring clinical experience and tools to a person that can have remarkable outcomes if only people get this kind of help. I have seen the severely mentally ill, tragically broken marriages, deeply depressed, overly stressed, and anxiety-laden lives healed with the help of a Christian counseling professional.

Now imagine putting all three of these things together: first, our faith and hope in God, along with the power and ability He has gifted us, and the assistance of a skilled professional who cares about our becoming whole persons in Christ.

Wow!

With all of that, how could there not be hope?

Is there hope for you?

YES!

Scotty