Inspiring Hope: How to Be a Light of Hope in Darkness
Shared on November 20, 2024
As a child of God, we must understand that God will use us to inspire and give hope to the hopeless. In this week’s study, Pastor McCrary teaches how to live a fruitful life of giving hope to the hopeless. Watch this week’s study and let’s continue to grow in our faith to be a light of hope in the world.
Introduction
There are times when you will find yourself in a pit because God is using you to be a light of hope to those in darkness. As a child of God, we have a calling to help, support, and uplift. The last thing we should do is ignore our calling to help, especially helping those wandering in darkness.
Our study this is a continuation of my series of studies – There Is Always Hope. We are going to see Joseph serve a key role that we as believers should be serving in inspiring hope in others. Jesus encouraged us to let our light shine like a city set on a hill that can’t be hidden (Matt. 5:14). So, we must look within ourselves and answer whether or not we are filling that role. How do we go about becoming a light of hope in an ever growing dark world?
Learning From Trials and Tribulations
Now, being a light of hope can sound amazing and at the same time can come with the feeling of great pressure. I remember feeling overwhelmed when I first began to preach due to my age and the age groups I would be preaching to. I was 27 years old when I first began to preach and didn’t think I would be able to help others older people because I hadn’t yet lived life, as we’d say.
Now, some of you may feel a great deal of pressure to be a light of hope to others because of that sense of inadequacy. Some of us feel like we don’t know scripture well enough to be able to help others. Some of us feel like we don’t have the words to share to help others. Some of us may be going through our own hopelessness as well.
What I learned is that God permits us to go through some things in life, just like Joseph. In Genesis 39:16-20, Potiphar’s wife lied on Joseph which led to him being thrown into prison. Joseph was in another pit with no scheduled release date in sight. Something I want to point out is that Joseph did nothing wrong, but yet he still ended up in this position.
Life is filled with its ups and downs. Sometimes we find ourselves in a pit because of bad decisions that we have made. Other times, we find ourselves in a pit not because of anything that we have done. Then there are the times where we have to understand that God has a plan and part of that plan is Him putting us where He desires for us to be.
We learn that we are going to have our trials, tribulations, afflictions, and infirmities. What do we do in those times? James wrote that we should count it all joy when we fall into various trials because they help to increase our faith and endurance (Jas. 1:2-4).
I want to point out that the Joseph that we’ll see from this point moving forward is a Jospeh that’s bold in faith. Why is that? Genesis 39:21 tells us, “the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy.” Let’s remember the fellowship that Joseph had come to enjoy having with the Lord in Potiphar’s house.
Joseph had gained experience from being in dire situations before. Think about it: Joseph has dealt with the betrayal of his brother; lived as a slave in Potiphar’s house and succeeded. When we overcome our trials, tribulations, and afflictions, we gain experience and even more faith in the Lord. The experience we gain in trying times is experience we should share with those around us who may be struggling.
Becoming a Light of Hope in the Dark
In Genesis 40:1-8, we are introduced to two men – the chief butler and baker of the Pharaoh. Both men had been sent to prison and put into the care of Joseph, who at that time, had been put to watch over all prisoners (Gen. 39:22).
Now, we have no idea what crimes these men had committed to be thrown into prison by Pharaoh. So, I’m going to speculate that both of these men was nowhere near as calm as Joseph was. Like Joseph, no scheduled release date had been given to them so, they were likely feeling hopeless.
Scripture tells us that both men had dreams that made them sad which drew Joseph’s attention. The men desired to have their dreams interpreted but didn’t think anybody could do so – they were feeling hopeless.
Here is where I want to point out that Joseph’s being in prison wasn’t a coincidence. Something I was taught and then learned for myself quite some time ago is that there’s no such thing as coincidence with God. Joseph was put in a position to move by faith and help these two men with a gift given to him by God.
I don’t believe it’s ever a coincidence when we find ourselves in a position to be able to help someone with their struggles. I really do believe that when we are moved to help in our spirit, it is because God has given us the tools to be able to do so. Those tools given to us can be a special gift given to us by the Lord or life’s experiences.
When we find ourselves in a position to help, we should do so. As Paul in Galatians 6:10, “as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” If you’re still uncertain that you can be a light of hope, here are three steps to follow.
Step One: Introduce the Hopeless to God
When the two men thought there was no interpreter, Joseph said, “Do not interpretations belong to God (Gen. 40:8)?” This is the first time in scripture where we see Joseph verbally testifying strongly of his faith in what God can do. With this statement, let’s make a note that Joseph is introducing these two gentiles to the Lord as well.
So, if you’re trying to help somebody in a situation that they believe to be hopeless, the first step you can take is to introduce them to God, if they don’t know Him. Now, let me add to that there will be some who are having struggles and already know the Lord.
If one knows the Lord, and is of faith, then it’s always good to remind them of the Lord as well. I say this because there are times when what we are going through can distract us from the Lord. So, a reminder that God is near and that He is able, can certainly inspire hope.
Now, there will be others who know of God but won’t be interested in hearing about Him. What should we do in those moments? Those who truly have no interest in hearing about the Lord should be left alone. There are those who just need to be left alone until they are ready and we should certainly respect their wishes. Yes, always seek to do work in God’s name but know when to shake the dust off your feet or when to enter in (Matthew 10:11-15).
Step Two: Move with love and humility
So, Joseph moved with great care for two men he had never met. It is really important for us to keep in mind that our calling is one that is of love and care.
Let’s remember what Paul said about how love conducts itself. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Paul stated that love is patient, kind, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” In our calling to encourage others, Paul would tell you not to behave rudely as love itself does not parade itself, is not puffed up, nor does it behave rudely.”
The role of helping and encouraging others takes a great deal of sympathy and humility which scripture constantly reminds us. In Romans 14:1, Paul called on us believers to receive those who are “weak in the faith” – those who are slow to move by faith. Paul then stated in Romans 14:13, “let us not judge another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.”
Of course, Paul’s teaching about not judging others was built on Jesus’ teaching of not judging another (Matt. 7:1-2). You see, the last thing that those who are having great struggles need is for us to be another hurdle and hindrance to them.
Some of us often think we need to be the smartest person in the room that can speak great words to lift others up. I have found that it is actually very helpful just to be able to sit by, listen, and nod our heads. Listening to understand is such an underrated gift that many of us never use. Why? Because we have to be the smartest person in the room. Sometimes, those who are in the dark just want someone to listen to them.
Step Three: Be truthful in your work
Now, I want you to pay close attention to Joseph being faithful in his work.
In Genesis 40:9-11, the chief butler chooses to share his dream with Joseph. I want to put emphasis on the butler choosing. The reason I am putting emphasis on the butler’s choice is because Joseph is not forcing himself, his ministry, onto the butler. This butler was curious – intrigued – and decided to give Joseph, therefore God, a try.
Joseph interprets the dream in Genesis 40:11-13, with the interpretation speaking to the butler’s release in three days. You have to believe that this interpretation turned the butler’s sadness into glee, right? In fact, we could say that Joseph has given this man some hope.
In Genesis 40:16-17, we are told that after the baker saw that the butler’s interpretation was good, he shared his dream with Joseph. Now, after listening to the chief baker’s dream, knowing its interpretation, Joseph could have a choice to make. You see, the baker’s dream spoke of him being killed and hung (Gen. 40:18-19). So, not good news to share, right?
Joseph could lie to the baker so as not to make him even more miserable, right? What good would it have done for Joseph to lie like that? No good can come from a lie, no matter how much you may hear people talk about “small lies” or “white lies”.
If you think about it, both of Joseph’s interpretations are very similar to the message we have been given from God to share with the world. The message we should be sharing today is that the kingdom of God is at hand and all people need to repent.
Now, to some, the message of the kingdom of God being at hand is a light of hope in a dark world, while to others, the message of the kingdom is foolishness (1 Cor. 1:18). Some of us are faithfully waiting for Christ’s call so that we can meet Him in the air. Others look at us like we are fools to be waiting for Christ because “He hasn’t come back yet.” Some even despise the believer for sharing God’s gospel.
So, should we stop helping and sharing the truth because others love to dwell in darkness? Should we hide the truth? Should we dress up the truth? Absolutely not. We must minister faithfully and truthfully. At the end of the day, it will always be the truth that will be that beacon of hope to those who choose to believe.
The Dreams are Fulfilled
This chapter comes to a close with both the butler and the baker’s dreams being fulfilled. The butler was released from his prison stint (Gen. 40:20-21) and the baker was hanged (Gen. 40:22). For his part in all of this, Joseph remained in prison. Even after asking the butler to tell Pharaoh about him, the butler didn’t remember to do so and Joseph was still stuck in prison.
Some of us will think to ourselves, ‘what’s the point of helping others when we don’t get anything in return?’ Is this the right mindset to have when it comes to helping others?
In all of Jesus’ teachings, we learn that it is better to love, to help, and to give than it is to receive. In Matthew 6:1, Jesus said, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” So, don’t be helping others just to be rewarded by them or to be praised by them and others as that mindset stands at odds with the way of Christ.
Jesus then said, as shown in Matthew 6:3-4, “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” When you help others, it should be done out of sincerity. The acts of sincerity won’t go unrewarded as God will be the one to reward.
Yes, Joseph may be stuck in prison now but you better believe him moving out of sincere faith is going to pay off in the end. Even for all of us today who may not have much, God is fully aware of your faith and your good works. As it is said in Hebrews 6:10, “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
So, I encourage you with this study, learn from all of your trials and your tribulations so that you can share what you have learned with those around you. My hope is that you have come to understand the fact that we are supposed to be lights in this world. My hope is that if you aren’t already moved to be a light of hope, that you will now light your flame and burn in ever growing dark world.