Desperation of False Hope

Desperation can lead to either true or false hope.

A person who sees the glimmer of grace in their darkest hour will look for the true hope that exists in God and Jesus Christ. But those who fail to see it, or choose to reject it, succumb to false hope and hopelessness.

There are many false hopes in this world, but we are seeing them fail.

False hope arises when people believe in the power of themselves, governments, or things of this world to deal with spiritual issues. Can a man answer back to God to change His mind? God has allowed the disasters in this world as part of His plan. So who could possibly turn aside the will of God?

God HAS allowed these things. His plan includes COVID and the disasters that plague the earth. Bible prophecy shows that these things must happen before the return of the Lord. Jesus, speaking about His return in Luke chapter 21, said these disasters and pestilences would come.

Some put their trust in governments and armies to save them. The Lord was quite adamant that this was a false hope.

Consider the hopes of the Pharaoh of Egypt chasing the Israelites. An army of chariots and trained warriors chasing an untrained nation of slaves. Surely the plight of Israel was sealed and the Egyptians would prevail?

But Israel passed through the Red Sea as if on dry land, while the mighty Egyptian army was drowned. Pharaoh placed his hopes on the might of his army and the power of men. But the hope of Israel was in the power and might of God.

Others place their hopes on money and financial wealth.

History tells us that the value of money can evaporate overnight. For example, in post-WWI Germany, inflation was so high that money devalued as a person walked from home to the shop. It was said that the faster you could run, the better the price you could get, and a loaf of bread required a wheelbarrow load of cash.

The pathways of false hope look to man and the ways of the world for salvation. It is an empty hope leading to despair.

It is far better to follow the advice from Hebrews that says:

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never fail you nor forsake you.” Hence we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6)

The power of real hope is in Jesus Christ.