Despair: A Subtle Instrument of Evil

Have you ever had one of those “A-ha moments” when before you were clueless as to what was going on, but then all of a sudden, like someone opening the drapes in a dark room to let in the light of day, the veil in your own heart and mind was lifted and you could see what was really going on? Just recently I had one of those moments, and just as clear as the day, the Lord pulled back the veil in my mind and revealed to me a clever and subtle tool of the enemy: Despair; the condition of being without hope.

It doesn’t take very long to survey the culture to realize this is a major problem and one that seemingly many people are overlooking. I believe this probably a major factor in the alarming rate of alcohol and drug abuse in our nation. It is the reason so many people are on anti-depressants. It is the reason people of any age willfully take their own life. It is why married couples call it quits and get a divorce. Why? Because in whatever situation people find themselves, they end up despairing of life, and the saddest part is, they don’t even realize what is going on. They don’t realize they’re sinking in the pool of despair. They believe their seeing life and reality rightly. And the more and more I meditate on this terrible condition, the more I see the evil, crafty hand of Satan in it. So, do we combat it? What is our defense?

First of all, when you stop and think about it, despairing really isn’t logical. Why? Because by definition to despair means to be without hope; in other words, when we despair we’re saying there is no hope for the future that nothing good is going to come. But do you really know that? Do you know precisely what the future will hold? Do you really know what your life will be like in 2, 5, or even 10 years or more? No. The only person who knows that is God. We do not know that. Therefore, to despair is not even logical, simply because we do not know. JRR Tolkien, the famous British scholar and author , wrote in his popular Lord of the Ring series, “Despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt. We do not.” This is precisely what Tolkien was saying that despair is not logical because we do not know.

But secondly, despairing is not even Biblical, especially for the born again Christian. Why? Because we are NEVER without hope. For the past 4 weeks on Sunday nights we have been examining one of the greatest promises in Scripture found in Romans 8:28 where Paul writes, “And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God for those who are the called according to His purpose.” In fact, when you stop and read it again, the believer should be forever the optimist. Why? Because Paul says, “And we know that all things work together for good…” So, for the Christian, God promises that EVERYTHING is working out for our good. Therefore, we should never be without hope.

So, dear friends, the next time you find yourself depressed and moping about… the next time you find yourself with a negative outlook on life or the future, … or consumed with worry or doubt… remember the promise of the Scripture. Remember that God is still on the throne and that He is still at work in your life and in your situation.

In Psalm 27, verses 13-14 David touched on this issue of despair when he said, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Unless he had believed, he would have lost heart; i.e. he would have despaired. But he didn’t; he believed, which is why he went to encourage us by saying, “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Friends, don’t become a victim of despair, don’t let Satan defeat you with this subtle instrument of evil. Wait on the Lord and never lose faith that He is still working on your behalf.

Depressed About Heaven?

Recently I purchased Randy Alcorn’s new book, Heaven. I’ve read about 5 chapters so far and am finding it to be quite good, though I am just now getting to the real meat of the book. Well, I haven’t actually read it, I’m listening to it on audio CD. By the way, if you’re a slow reader like myself, this is a GREAT way to digest some wonderful books. Just pop them in the old CD player and listen to your heart’s content.

Something that I discovered in this book that I find amazing is just how many people seem to have a not-so-pleasant view of heaven. If fact, while doing his research for this project, Randy came across a great many people, who even though they believed they were going to heaven, didn’t seem all that excited about going. Why? Because they think it’s going to be boring and lifeless. A great many people have the idea that all we’re going to do is float around on the clouds and play the harp. Others think that heaven is just going to be one very LONG church service. I must confess, that if that was truly all heaven was going to be like, I’m not so sure I would be excited about going either. Of course, then people feel a little guilty because they “know” in their heart, they should be excited to go. Many then think that somehow they’re just not as spiritual as those pious individuals who are truly longing to go. Even in the church, Randy discovered that a great many people get depressed when they think about heaven. In fact, he has even spoken to some pastors, who get depressed when they think of heaven! Sound absurd? Well, maybe a little, but I believe I understand where they are coming from.

So, what has caused this terrible problem among God’s people? Biblical ignorance. To put it plain and simple, we, as the church, have not really taken the time to delve into the word of God to discover what God has revealed about this place called heaven. To site an example of this, in one particular systematic theology textbook, which is over 700 pages in length, only 1 page is about heaven?! That’s not a typo… only ONE page about heaven. Absolutely unreal, but it’s true. And so, since we really don’t know what God says about heaven, all kinds of false ideas have been brought in to fill in the gap, like gaining wings and playing harps.

Unfortunately, many theologians and pastors believe that heaven is one of those things about which God has kept secret from us. They unfortunately believe that it is a total mystery and that we really can’t know anything about it. Well, it’s true there is a lot we don’t know… but on the other hand, there is a lot we do know. We just haven’t take the time to dig out the truth that God has revealed in the Scriptures. And when you stop and think about it, would this not be a pretty clever strategy of Satan, the enemy of God… to keep the best that God desires to offer to mankind shrouded in mystery and confusion? I mean, if Christians aren’t looking forward to it and aren’t excited about it, why would we be very motivated to tell anyone how to get there? To tell you the truth, after hearing the first couple of chapters of this book, which is about what I’ve been talking about, I’m about ready to plan a sermon series on the topic of heaven, which at some point down the road, I may just do.

But you know, in my opinion, even if God had not revealed one thing about heaven to us, could we not still be looking forward to this incredible place simply by knowing the character of our God? Considering how much God’s loves us, and how much He desires to bless us, and how incredibly artistic and imaginative He really is (by observing the world around us) shouldn’t we able to trust our great God to know that whatever He has in store for us will be a million times better than anything we have experienced so far? I believe so. Friends, I don’t know if you’re one of those people who really don’t get excited about heaven or not, but let me offer a couple words of encouragement as I close. First of all, don’t feel guilty for not really being excited about heaven, if all you know of heaven is the lies from Satan and the world. Second, take some time to reflect on the wondrous creation that is all around you, and remember that as wonderful as this place is, it is still marred by suffering, death, and sin. However, one day its going to be re-created (or resurrected) and it’s going to be just as it was meant to be in the beginning. The Bible says in Revelation 21:1, “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.” (NKJV) Friends, I can promise you, heaven will not be disappointing or boring; it’s going to be more wonderful, more exciting, more adventurous, more beautiful than our minds can even imagine. Take some time to see what you can discover from God’s word what He says about heaven.

p.s. the pic at the top is just some clipart I found on the internet.