History bares witness to the reality that the world is a dark place. Every age has seen horrible and terrible things occurring as again and again the just suffer while the wicked revel in their wickedness. Our frustration builds as the spiral of unchecked, unbridled corruption and cruelty continues down, deeper and deeper.
It is easy to think and feel that these moments of injustice give us freedom to respond in any way we choose, or even to just drop out of the fight completely. Surely, this level of suffering gives us leave to give up, to curl up, or to wish for death.
However, these moments are not opportunities to rage and rant in an ungodly way. These are not occasions to completely give in to hopelessness. Rather, these are moments where God’s glory and sovereignty take centre stage. These are moments where hope shines the brightest. These are the moments where we truly learn to hold onto the truth of God’s character, even when He seems far away.
Joseph’s story is an example of this. Sold as a slave by his own brothers and thrown into prison for something he did not do, Joseph truly felt the sting of injustice. Sitting in a filthy jail, he was, humanly speaking, all alone. There was no one to speak for him or to plead his case. No friend, no advocate, no mediator. A glimmer of hope comes when a fellow jailer is freed, yet it is quickly snuffed out when this man forgets about him. Here is a man of character, an upright man, enduring hardship; hardship strong enough to crush the soul.
Yet, month after month, Joseph is not overcome. He is not crushed, even though his suffering is brought about and prolonged by selfish people. In that cell, his God is his ever present hope and light. His God preserves him and cares for him. In the darkness of the stinking prison cell, the light of God’s goodness shines even brighter. Month after month, Joseph has a front row seat to the beautiful warmth and radiance of God’s ever-present faithfulness.
It is true that we only really feel such a reality when we ourselves go through darkness and suffering. It is only in the deep valleys and most painful moments of experiencing sin’s sinfulness that we truly come to the conclusion that there is always hope. Even in the deepest and darkest pits of loneliness, fear, anxiety, or depression, even in all these moments, God Himself says there is hope. Even more precious is the truth that God Himself is our hope.
Therefore, let us take heart and fight to hold onto this hope in the face of so much chaos and godlessness. We cling to the truth that this world is not all there is. This injustice is not forever. This spiral will end. God’s gavel of justice will land with a mighty blow. All injustice will be called to account, and God will bring all oppressors down low. From that day, and for all eternity, evil will not set foot on the golden floors of paradise nor shall the tears of suffering fall upon the King’s land. There will be eternal peace, and God Himself will live with us.
Until this day, we face the darkness with confidence. The light of our Hope shines unhindered, unshaken, imperishable. We live knowing that regardless of our circumstances, the same powerful Hand that holds the stars is the same caring Hand that firmly holds onto us.
Darkness comes. In the middle of it, the future looks blank. The temptation to quit is huge. You will argue with yourself that there is no way forward. But with God, nothing is impossible. He has more ropes and ladders and tunnels out of pits than you can conceive.
Wait. Pray without ceasing. Hope.
John Piper
To The Heart 