“And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.  And Samson said, let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.” Judges 16:28-30 (KJV)

Many believers are at the brink of giving up hope because of a challenge or situation they may be going through. These challenges could be in the areas of health, marriage, finances, job, children and many other attacks that come upon believers every now and then. Some of the people who came before us are good examples for us to gather courage and hope again even in very dire situations. Samson, having lost his two eyes, slew more Philistines than he had done all his lifetime. Hannah never gave up and her perseverance in the place of prayer produced Samuel. Ruth, having lost his husband and not knowing what the future held for her, is in the genealogy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ today because she kept her hope alive. When the prophet Elijah prayed for rain to come, the servant had to go seven times before he could see a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea. Our Savior conquered death with the hope that he would resurrect and yes he did, praying three times in the garden of Gethsemane before his arrest and crucifixion. 

In all the examples mentioned, one thing is clear: Prayer! We also notice that when we hope again in times of difficulties and persevere in prayer, the results/outcomes are glorious.

The Bible admonishes us to pray without ceasing in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. In Luke 18:1, we are told to pray always and not to faint. It may be a tough situation; things might be getting out of control but amid all the storms, let’s be courageous and dare to hope again. Stay blessed.