Is There Hope?

A question often asked during times of despair or rampant evil: Is there hope? Throughout the ages different people have asked the question. In any conflict or war, when one side is clearly beating the other, the losing side is searching for hope to turn things around. Can things be turned around? Yes, there is always hope. Hope for an unsaved family member or friend. Hope for breakthrough in demanding situations. Hope for healing when all the doctors have given up. Hope in seemingly hopeless situations. Hope that can only come from God. But sometimes you have to hit rock bottom. Such was the direction of Israel and Judah. A too familiar set of phrases repeat through the history of the rulers of the divided kingdoms.

In the fifteenth year of Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah, Jeroboam son of Jehoash king of Israel became king in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD and did not turn away from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit. 2 Kings 14:23-24