Despair: June 12, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY JUNE 12, 2013.

DESPAIR

DEFINITION:

Loss of hope; hopelessness; a state of mind caused by circumstances that seem too much to cope with; a sense of futility.

SCRIPTURE:

For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great in His unfailing love. Lamentations 3:31-32.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Most of us at some time in our life will experience despair --- that state of mind caused by circumstances that seem too much to cope with. Despair is what is felt by those who are so poor they do not know when they will eat again. The loss of a job for one or both parents brings despair to a family. Single moms often experience the feeling of despair as they are left to be mother and father to their child or children. With the feeling of despair comes the feeling that God no longer cares.

In the book of Ruth we read about a mother, named Naomi, who was in deep despair and with good reason. Naomi had lost not only her husband but two sons as well.

It is recorded in the book of Ruth that Naomi and Elimeleck and her two sons had to leave their home in Bethlehem, Judah, and move to Moab because of a famine in Judah. Elimeleck died in Moab and Naomi was left with her two sons. Her two sons soon married Moabite women. Soon after, her two sons died and this left Naomi a widow with two widowed daughter-in-laws. In those days widows without family were destined to a life of poverty. 

In the ten years since Naomi had left her home in Bethlehem she had suffered great loss and terrible hardship. She had lost everything. Who could blame her for feeling despair and hopelessness? Naomi decided to return to her homeland and Ruth (one of her widowed daughter-in-laws) went with her.

Naomi felt like many single moms feel. She felt she had more than she could cope with. She could see no hope in her future and she had become bitter.

Upon her return to Bethlehem when those who knew Naomi greeted her by her name, her despair and bitterness welled up in her and she let it all out: "Don't call me Naomi," (which means pleasant) she told them. "Call me Mara," (which means bitter). I went away full, but the Lord brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me."

Although Naomi had faith in God it is evident by Naomi's words that despair has over-whelmed her. She lashes out at God and blames God for allowing what has happened to her. This is typical of people who have allowed circumstances to make them bitter. They look to blame someone and if they can't blame someone they will blame God.

Naomi couldn't see the future and she lost hope in the one that holds the future. Naomi's sad story does have a happy ending. God in His divine providence had a purpose and a plan. Through Naomi's daughter-in-law Ruth, God brought hope not only to Naomi but to all of us today.

As the story unfolds in the book of Ruth, Boaz, who is a relative of Naomi, marries Ruth and they have a son that they name Obed. Boaz and Ruth become the great-grandparents of David, Israel's greatest King. More importantly, God chose to bring His Son Jesus into the world through the line of descendants of David, Obed and Boaz. Their names are listed in the genealogy of Jesus found in Ruth 4:18-22 and Matthew 1:1-16.

When we are in the depths of despair we must remember that although God allows grief to enter our life, He has compassion on us because of His great and unfailing love for us. He hears us when we call on Him and rescues us from all of our troubles. (Above verses)

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:14.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

PRAYER:

Thank You for Your great compassion and unfailing love. Help me to remember that when I feel despair that I can call on You and that I will know that You hear me. Thank You that I can trust You to not only hear me, but deliver me from what troubles me.