The Resiliency of Hope

By Michael Wogoman

Real hope, that which comes from God, can never be squelched or destroyed. It can never be defeated. It only takes a little bit of hope to ignite a whole lot of faith.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781638142416

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The Resiliency of Hope

Michael Wogoman

ISBN 978-1-63814-240-9 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63814-241-6 (Digital)

Copyright © 2021 Michael Wogoman

All rights reserved

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books

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Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

Table of Contents

The Hope of a Tree

When He Saw the Wagons

A Little Cloud

The Hem of a Garment

A Hunger Pang

A Floating Board

Chapter 1

The Hope of a Tree

For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud and bring forth boughs like a plant.

—Job 14:7–9

If we were to see a stump where a mighty tree once stood, we might assume the stump was no longer good for anything. We might also assume its best days were far behind it. In other words, there was no hope left for that stump. Yet the Bible says there is hope because the roots of the stump will find water. This speaks to me of the resiliency of hope. Real hope, that which finds its source in God, can never be squelched or quenched. Just as the roots of that stump will find water, so the roots of our faith, driven by hope, will find rest in the life-giving water of God’s promises.

Bear in mind, I am not referring to those times we want something which is not in God’s will or plan for our lives. Consider the example of the lady with no matrimonial prospects who set her eyes on a certain unmarried gentleman who worked at the same company. One morning, she prayed, Dear Lord, if he is the one, let him speak to me. As it happened, that same day they bumped into each other literally. Why don’t you watch where you’re going? he demanded impatiently. After he passed by, she exclaimed joyfully, Praise the Lord, he’s the one!

That lady either had to be overly optimistic or sadly unrealistic. If that man indeed was the one God intended for her to marry, it will happen. But if he was somebody she wanted, without seeking the Lord about it, disappointment and disillusionment await her. Who knows? Perhaps God allowed the man’s rudeness to open her eyes. But he was the one she had staked her claim on.

When our desires replace God’s will for our lives, hope can quickly turn to hype. We can convince ourselves something is of God, even when we know it is not. If we want to become romantically involved with someone that we know is not a true Christian, we rationalize. Maybe I can win him/her to the Lord. If we want to buy an expensive car or a house that we know will drive us deep into debt, we strategize. I’ll just take on a second job, like driving taxi or delivering pizzas. We have become adept at playing the shell game on ourselves, ever hoping to find the little ball.

In these verses, Job mentions three things that can give way to feelings of hopelessness. Hopelessness brings with it a foreboding sense of finality. Too little too late, you tried your best, but it was not enough.

If It Be Cut Down

This speaks of sudden finality. A tree stands strong and tall in the forest. Then one day it feels the cold steel of a chainsaw or the sharp blade of an ax against its bark. Yesterday it stood tall; today it was cut down. We are talking about sudden finality. You are feeling in the prime of life. You feel healthy and strong. One day, however, you suddenly feel sharp pains in your chest. You try to ignore them, but the pains are getting worse. You’re taken to the emergency room and are told you are having a heart attack. Life, as you were used to, has permanently been altered. Your health has suddenly been cut down. One day you were golfing and bowling, or jogging, or doing what you normally enjoyed doing. Now you are a semi-invalid, forced by poor health to give up those things you loved. Sudden finality.

You have been employed by your company for a number of years. It has provided you with decent wages, and while you have not been able to buy that new car you’ve been wanting, you have been able to keep your bills paid on time. Monday morning you report to work as usual and learn you have been given the pink slip, due in large measure to budget cuts and downsizing. You were bringing home a paycheck; now you’re forced to stand in the unemployment line. Sudden finality.

What hope is there after sudden finality, when the news you have received is not good? The answer is, there is hope. The tree that has been cut down will sprout again. It may not again grow to be a tall tree, but the stump does not give up and just die where it is. Its roots find water, and it buds and produces young branches like a plant. You may have to give up your weekly golf game or bowling tournament, or you may have to quit jogging, but your life does not have to end there. Seek the Lord and ask Him what He wants you to do. Perhaps He would have you visit the sick and afflicted. There is no limit to how much God can use you. Yes, your life has been altered, but it has not been ended. Your job may have ended, but your ability to work and earn a living has not. It may mean pursuing a different career, even going to a college or trade school to learn a new vocation, but God will make a way for you. In short, there is hope after sudden finality. Your life can take an exciting new turn if you will be like that tree stump and refuse to give up.

Though the Root Thereof Wax Old in the Earth

This speaks of gradual finality. At one time the tree was young and sturdy. It withstood snow, wind, rain, hail, heat. It passed the seasons—budding in the springtime, growing its thick coat of green in the summertime, watching its leaves turn color in autumn, and finally baring itself for the winter watch. During its lifetime children would climb its branches and birds nested their young. But the years have passed. It has become unsafe for children to climb. Its branches now easily crack and break off. It no longer produces leaves and therefore remains barren yearlong. Birds no longer build their nests there. We are speaking of gradual finality.

There was a time you were young and sturdy. You withstood what life threw at you. You successfully fought off sicknesses, financial turmoil, marital stress, and so forth. You were the kind of person who routinely worked on your own car, frequently getting under the hood, replacing a fuel pump, or changing the oil. But the years have passed. You do not shake off illnesses as readily as you used to. You find yourself worrying more about finances, about your retirement years. There was a time when you provided for your family and made sure your children were given a good education. Now the roles have reversed; circumstances have deemed it necessary for your children to care for you. There has been a loss of independence that comes with advancing years. As far as getting under the hood, your mind tells you that you still can, but your body knows better. Truth be told, advancing years has forced you to give up working on your own car. It has been a bitter pill to swallow. We are speaking of gradual finality. You are waxing old.

Is there hope after gradual finality, when you used to pull your weight and now you feel like a weight? The answer, just as in the case of sudden finality, is yes, the hope of a new direction. You can dispense wisdom to a younger, inexperienced generation. Even though you are no longer able to get under the hood of your car, you can still teach younger mechanics techniques you have mastered during your years. You may be waxing old, but God remains the same. He still wants to use you, regardless of your age and regardless of what the enemy is telling you. You’re too old; God has no place for you. Why don’t you just sit back and collect your Social Security checks. The roots of the stump go where the water is and they are replenished. Draw nigh to the Living Water and let your spirit and soul be replenished.

And though the Stock Thereof Die in the Ground

This speaks of a finality that never had a chance to start. It died in the ground. It could mean a dream unfulfilled; potential unrealized; hopes deferred. A young person who sets out to pursue a career in nursing is killed by a drunk driver. No one will ever know how many lives she would have helped cure or mend