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Hope in Hard Times

Hope Is Barely Hanging On

Listen first. Then read the words, explore the Scripture pathway, and follow the song beyond itself to Jesus.

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**Verse 2** Through my troubles—everywhere I go— I don’t know— If you know—who I am anymore— But Lord—I’m a lost ship—without any hope—of finding shore. Lord—can’t You see—these chains around my feet— Lord—can’t You hear my cry— I’m surely sinking—Ohhhh—I’m drowning in defeat. **Pre-Chorus** By day—and every night— My mind is overwhelmed by the storm— I’m losing this fight— Lord—do you hear my prayer— Tell me now—do You even care?? **Chorus** Ohhhhh—-my—-Lord!! Hope—is barely hanging on! Ohhhhh—my—-Lord!! It can’t be long—before all hope is gone. I am a castaway—with no rescue in sight— I have struggled against life’s sea and storms—with all my might. Can there be any hope at Dawn? Lord—how long—would You have me carry on? **Verse 3** I was sure—no answer would come— I am alone—I hope I am enough— I’ve done all—that can be done. If in this storm—You’re gonna leave me Lord— At least open my eyes and let me see— If the cost of victory—I can afford! **PRE‑CHORUS** Then in the ruins of my thoughts and mind— There came a sound gaining on me—it was coming from behind— At first—just a quiet sound—then it started to rise— I looked with shaded eyes— At a great light—now taking over—and I could no longer stand— Then it exploded—all across the land! **Chorus** Ohhhhh—-my—-Lord!! Hope—is barely hanging on! Ohhhhh—my—-Lord!! It can’t be long—before all hope is gone. I am a castaway—with no rescue in sight— I have struggled against life’s sea and storms with all my might. Can there be any hope at Dawn? Lord—oh how long—would You have me carry on? **Bridge** The sound—now became a shout— It was Him—there was now—no doubt. His countenance crept up over the horizon and then it overtook the sky— His glory filled the Heavens— I thought—I would surely die! **Verse 4** He said, “I remember every shadow that ever cast across my sky— I remember every tuft of dirt—before I raised it to a mountain high.” “I see before there was a beginning—I see beyond where there is no end. I still see every day the Sun and the Moon rose from where they never sleep—until I set them in their place again.” “I know everything about you and everyone I ever made— I hear their every thought and I remember every prayer ever prayed” “But now somehow—you are before me—And you’ve come to me to ask— If I have forgotten some trivial task— Like when I give you every breath you take— Like form every path for you—I did make.” **Tag** Then the Lord let me feel His presence all around me—as I stood deathly still— And then I knew—I’m always in His presence—and He’s never left me—and He never will!! **Outro** And as I turned to go my way— I said, “Lord, I’ll try to remember what You said to me today.” And then I heard Lord say—what maybe He’s said to you— I’ll see you back here tomorrow—just as we did—today and yesterday!” Ohhhhh—-my—-Lord!! My Hope in You—is still hanging on! Ohhhhh—-my—-Lord!! Hope—my hope in you—is hanging on! Ohhhhh—my—-Lord!! I am weak and You are so strong— My hope in You—it can forever hang on!!
Ministry Devotional

Hope Is Barely Hanging On

Read together: Psalm 42:5–11; Job 38:1–11; Job 42:1–6; Psalm 121; Hebrews 6:17–20

Some songs start with the answer. This one starts with a person who is going under. I'm a lost ship without any hope of finding shore… chains around my feet… I'm drowning in defeat. The chorus sounds like a cry from the bottom of the sea: Hope is barely hanging on. It can't be long before all hope is gone.

If those words describe where you are right now, please read this slowly. You are not the first person to feel this way, and God has not turned His face from you.

Read Psalm 42:5–11. The psalmist asks his own soul, "Why are you downcast?" He says, "Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and breakers have swept over me." He feels forgotten by God. Yet in the very same breath he says, "Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." Hope in Scripture is often not a feeling. It is a decision to keep talking to God when everything inside you says He isn't listening.

The song takes a dramatic turn. A sound rises from behind, then a light, then a shout that fills the sky—and the Lord Himself speaks. His words sound much like God's answer to Job. Read Job 38:1–11. After chapters of suffering and questions, the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?" He describes measuring the earth, setting the boundaries of the sea, and commanding the morning. In the song, God says something similar: I remember every tuft of dirt before I raised it to a mountain high… I hear their every thought, and I remember every prayer ever prayed.

God did not answer all of Job's questions. He did something better. He revealed Himself. Read Job 42:1–6. Job responded, "My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You." What changed was not Job's circumstances—at least not yet. What changed was his vision of God.

That is what happens to the singer. Then I knew—I'm always in His presence, and He's never left me, and He never will. Read Psalm 121. "He who watches over you will not slumber… The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." The God who sets the sun and moon in place each day has not forgotten the "trivial task" of giving you your next breath.

And then the most tender line: I'll see you back here tomorrow—just as we did today and yesterday. Hope is not usually restored all at once. It is renewed day by day, in daily meeting with the Lord.

Read Hebrews 6:17–20. The writer says believers have a hope that is "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure," because it is anchored in Jesus, who has entered God's presence on our behalf. For a ship lost at sea, an anchor changes everything. Your hope does not have to be strong. It has to be anchored in Someone who is.

We also want to say this clearly: if you are at the point of wondering whether you can go on living, please reach out today. Talk to a pastor, a doctor, or a trusted friend. In the United States, you can call or text 988 at any hour. Seeking help is not a failure of faith. God often sends His rescue through people.

A moment to respond: Read Psalm 42 aloud, and wherever the psalmist says "my soul," let it be your own. Then set a time tomorrow to meet the Lord again—same place, same time. Tell one person you trust how you are really doing.

Let's pray: Lord, some of us are barely hanging on. You see the chains, the storm, and the darkness. Thank You that You remember every prayer and never sleep. Reveal Yourself to the one who feels lost at sea. Anchor their hope in Jesus. Send people to stand beside them, and meet them again tomorrow, and the day after that. Amen.

Our desire at UnrelentingJesus is that even when your hope is barely hanging on, you would know that Jesus is holding on to you.

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