In Desperation Do We Finally See?

From the very beginning, from the time that sin entered the world, creation has groaned, awaiting the restoration of all things. There's a sense of desperation that permeates Scripture.

Doubtless did Adam and Eve think upon the birth of their first born that he would be the promised seed, one who would crush the serpents head. Instead he continued the same pattern as his parents and fell headlong into sin.

Generations came and went until Noah. Would he perhaps be the savior? No, instead he and his family alone would live while the entire world would be sentenced to a righteous punishment. The world would be destroyed by water.

It seems then and for many centuries that hope was something far off. A promise existed but it's fulfilment was yet to be seen.

At the coming of the 1st century, the world was in a dark place. Roman rule, the Jews under their control. Sin and paganism were rampant. God had been quiet for centuries.

Yet in this moment of desparation, God acted. Jesus, God the Son, the 2nd Person of the Trinity, took on human flesh, born of a virgin, and came into this world in all the weakness of humanity, aside from our sin.

Yet despite His perfections and His wondrous deeds, He would be put to death. There was another moment of desparation. Darkness it seems would win. Jesus was murdered upon a cruel cross at the hands of sinful men.

In desparation, men upon realizing their sin, call out for salvation.

In desparation we cry out for help, when we seem to have no other hope.

Why is it that sometimes it seems to be in moments of hopelessness that we see God work? Is it because it's when we finally have no other footing? No other way out? Perhaps.

My goal isn't to really answer that question, per say. But I recognize it in my own life.

Desparation, when ones at the end of their rope, it forces our eyes upward, doesn't it? If you're at the end of your rope I guess it means you're at the bottom and the only way is up.

But why does it take getting there? Why did Cain become a murderer, killing his brother instead of seeking to kill the serpent? Why did the world have to be destroyed because only 1 man and his family believed? Why did Jesus have to die such a horrible death?

And why do we so often have to be brought low before we can be lifted up?

Perhaps it is to strip away our confidence in ourselves and in others, in things within our control, so to speak.

But why let us get to that point? I guess it's the sin that is in us. I suppose it is so we actually would (hopefully) learn to look to God.

We really are like our ancestor, Adam. Instead of doing what was clear and right, he fell for Satan's lie. Instead of going to God with it before and after the fact, he ran.

But what about the times when we do seem to seek Him first? Why then is it drawn out? Why the wait? If I had all the answers to this I'd certainly share it. God's answer to Job was simply to point out that it was God who was there in the beginning.

Maybe that's the point in all of it, that it is to lift our eyes to Him. In our weakness He is strong. In our limitations, He is limitless, in our sin, He is righteous and gracious, when the world is at its darkest, God still rules in glorious light. He calls us to trust Him in it all.

Believers throughout the history of creation could have easily given up hope countless times. But God always came through. May He help us in our lacking faith and strengthen us as we wait on Him even in those moments of desperation.