Hope Amid Despondency

On the first anniversary of the devastating fire that ripped through Notre Dame de Paris in 2019, the famous 17th century bell in the cathedral's south tower, known as "le bourdon," rang out. Brice de Malherbe, a priest at Notre Dame, came out on the warm, sunny evening to listen to the bell toll for the first time since the fire. "My feeling today is mainly hope because the cathedral is still there," he said.

 In the midst of tragedy or prolonged disappointment, hope can be an inordinate salve to the heart and soul of an aggrieved person, especially if events strive to drive it out of you.

 A woman—who suffered rejection, discouragement and out-right hostility—was relegated to a lonely life. She was the product of five divorces, shunned by the community, and yet had hope for a better life. She stayed inside the lines of acceptance drawn by the people of her village. While the other women climbed the hill each morning to Jacob’s well to replenish their water, she had to go alone during the heat of the day. It was difficult and demeaning.

 She believed in God and longed for a messiah, yearned for a savior, but hope was weakening…until…one day…despite all customs and rules against it…she meets a man at the well.

 You can read the rest of this astounding story in John 4:1-42, or you can watch a compelling view of the event. It is an unforgettable look into the way the love of Jesus can change a person’s life. The scene is captured by The Chosen series in an 8 minute segment and offered here.

Father God, we praise you and worship you. We thank you for sending your Son to rescue us, a lost people. When our hope for a better life wavers and our faith is tested, let the Holy Spirit do his loving work and ease our dilemma. Give us strength and wisdom to hold on to the faith we do have and reward our perseverance by increasing our faith.  Amen.