Hope in Times of Despair

"And I - in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness." Psalm 17:15 (NIV)

Do you ever wonder why there can be hope in times of despair? Why do so many facing immense struggles carry on and not give up? If you have ever been through a period in your life that caused you immense heartache, you can certainly identify with this question. Why did you carry on? What was it that told you not to despair and to keep pressing on?

No matter the cause, struggles cause all of us to reflect on life and its purpose. We all wish for our heart pains to cease. We all long for unbreakable joy and peace in our lives. How quickly it seems to vanish so soon after we think we have attained it!

Through His Word, God gives us His answer. He never promises to remove the suffering or lessen it (though He certainly can and does sometimes). He does, however, tells us that only by looking at His face can we attain the peace and comfort we desperately need. Our hearts will never be satisfied until we see His likeness.

God is preparing all of us for a much greater purpose than we realize. Yes, God cares for our lives here on earth (on this side of eternity). However, He desperately wants us to see His face when our life on earth is complete. He wants us to want Him, and will do anything to get us to look at Him. He knows we will not be satisfied until we see His likeness. Sufferings are one tool God utilizes to woo us to look at Him.

Is your heart crying and pouring out tears? Do you feel alone and hopeless? Turn your eyes to God, and know that you cannot be satisfied until you see His likeness. Cast yourself onto Christ and ask Him to forgive your transgressions. Ask Him to pour out His righteousness unto you. Only then will you be able to see His face. Only then will you awake on the other side of eternity and be satisfied - satisfied in seeing His likeness. As David prayed in Psalm 27:8, "My heart says of you, 'Seek His face!' Your face, Lord, I will seek."