Hope In God | Hindsight | Week 1
“It’s not the despair, I can take the despair. It’s the hope I can’t stand.”
~ John Cleese, Clockwise
It’s the hope that kills you.
God does not call us to live that way.
Psalms 42:11
”Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God”
Living hopelessly leads to hopelessness.
Default to Hope
2 Kings 4:8-10
One day Elisha went to Shunem. A prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to eat some food. So whenever he passed by, he stopped there to eat. Then she said to her husband, “I know that the one who often passes by here is a holy man of God, so let’s make a small room upstairs and put a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp there for him. Whenever he comes, he can stay there.” ‘
2 Kings 4:14-16
So he asked, “Then what should be done for her? ” Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.” “Call her,” Elisha said. So Gehazi called her, and she stood in the doorway. Elisha said, “At this time next year you will have a son in your arms.” Then she said, “No, my lord. Man of God, do not deceive your servant.” ‘
2 Kings 4:17
‘The woman conceived and gave birth to a son at the same time the following year, as Elisha had promised her.’
2. Don’t Hesitate
If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.
2 Kings 4:18-21
‘The woman conceived and gave birth to a son at the same ‘The child grew and one day went out to his father and the harvesters. Suddenly he complained to his father, “My head! My head! ” His father told his servant, “Carry him to his mother.” So he picked him up and took him to his mother. The child sat on her lap until noon and then died. Then she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut him in, and left.’
2 Kings 4:22-24
‘She summoned her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, so I can hurry to the man of God and then come back.” But he said, “Why go to him today? It’s not a New Moon or a Sabbath.” She replied, “Everything is all right.” The she saddles the donkey and said to her servant, “Hurry, don’t slow the pace for me unless I tell you".
3. Depend on God
2 Kings 4:35-37
‘Elisha got up, went into the house, and paced back and
forth. Then he went up and bent down over him again. The
boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. Elisha
called Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite woman.” He
called her and she came. Then Elisha said, “Pick up your
son.” She came, fell at his feet, and bowed to the ground;
she picked up her son and left.
Isaiah 40:31
but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.’