The Descent of Hope into the Tomb of Despair: Ruth 1:1-5

Gulf Coast Community Church - Sunday Sermons

Speaker: Jerry Cisar

It has been said that to stop hoping is to stop living and there is certainly truth to that. One author says that “hope is so close to the core of all that makes us human that when we lose hope we lose something of our very selves.” To stop hoping is to accept defeat, to declare the brokenness of the world the winner.

Sadly, if there is one thing increasingly characterizing this generation, it is hopelessness. Not without cause. We live in dark times. Many think the best thing they can do is to stop hoping. I google searched hope and A-Z Quotes offered their top 17 quotes on hope. Several of them might be summed up in one sentiment offered: “You’ll stop hurting when you stop hoping.”

Naomi, in our text, could probably relate. She certainly had reasons for scoffing at hope. And she does. Where does one find hope in a world as dark as hers? Where do we find hope? For what do we hope? Is hope to be found when you “believe in yourself”? (God helps us if it is!)

The story of Ruth is given to us for dark times and offers a basis for hope in the darkest of times.

Handout: http://media.gccc.net/2021/04/20210425.pdf