I Hoped For Good But...

I’m not sure about the context of the verse but it sure seems to represent one of humanity’s deepest cries of despair since mankind first walked the earth.

“I hoped for good but evil came…”

“I hoped for light but darkness came…”

Those words are from the book of Job, chapter 30 and verse 26.  While these words were written several thousand years ago, they seem timely for us today as it appears now, more than ever, that evil is permeating our world and darkness is enveloping it.

Is there hope?  Can good hold back the onslaught of evil?  Can light dispel the darkness?

The short answer is that God knows.

The long answer is that only God knows.

While we don’t know what God knows, we do know the following about us as individuals:

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”  (I Peter 5:10)

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”  (Phil 1:6)

And while we don’t know what God knows about the entire earth, we do know the following:

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.”  (Rev 21:1)

“And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘“Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”’ (Rev 21:5)                                  

While the onslaught of evil is great and the encroaching darkness is very dark indeed, we do have hope.  There is one who knows the beginning and the end.  He knows that there may be suffering for a little while.  But He is in the business of restoration, of bringing all things to completion and making all things new.  And we know His “business plan” will succeed because He promised such things will be done!