Without Hope We Perish

We are living in a day when Hope seems like a fleeting thought to many.
Economies are failing, diseases are rampant and the traditional home is
struggling to survive. Nations continue to fight against nations, and our
children know less and less about working together, but rather learn more
about our differences that drive us a part. What can I say, we are in need
of serious change.

Given the previous paragraph's assessment of our times, throw in our Saviour
Jesus Christ and His appraisal of his generation. Read with me
Luke 11:29-36, " 29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, "This generation
is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of
Jonah. 30 For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man
will be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the
people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the
earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is
here! 32 The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and
condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something
greater than Jonah is here! "

The generation He lived in doesn't seem much different than ours except for the
props and background setting. Yet, in the midst of it Jesus gives a powerful
declaration of Hope. " Something greater than Jonah is here! " Now of course
he was talking about himself. The Son of God, the God-Man in flesh was on
earth and as long as He was on the scene ANYTHING was possible, for nothing
was impossible for Him.

Now take a look at this little story I came across about a certain laboratory
experiment, and see how it can parallel the situation we live in today.

A number of years ago researchers performed an experiment to see the effect hope
has on those undergoing hardship. Two sets of laboratory rats were placed in separate
tubs of water. The researchers left one set in the water and found that within an hour
they had all drowned. The other rats were periodically lifted out of the water and then
returned. When that happened, the second set of rats swam for over 24 hours.
Why? Not because they were given a rest, but because they suddenly had hope!
Those animals somehow hoped that if they could stay afloat just a little longer, someone
would reach down and rescue them. If hope holds such power for unthinking rodents,
how much greater should is effect be on our lives. Today in the Word, May, 1990, MBI,
p. 34

What made the one set of animals prevail so much longer and stronger. HOPE!!!!
The same is true today in our situation in life. The Lord is in our midst, and even
if things seem very difficult and out of control, just the very present hope of His
ministry in our midst gives us a totally different appraisal of the situation, and
hope when we can't even see the future at all.

Never give up, and understand that He is as close as the mention of His Name.
There is Hope.