Hope In The Midst of Heartbreak

Pastor Don Carpenter

Anchored to Hope in a Stormy World / Infant; Death and Dying; Suicide

In John Bunyan’s great allegory, Pilgrim’s Progress, the incident is related of how Christian decides to leave the Main Highway and follow another Path which seemed easier. But this Path leads him into the territory of Giant Despair who owns Doubting Castle.

Eventually he is captured by Giant Despair and kept in a dungeon. He is advised to kill himself. The Giant said there was no use trying to keep on with his journey. For the time, it seemed as if Despair had really conquered Christian. But then, Hope, Christian’s companion, reminds him of previous victories. So it came about that on Saturday about midnight they began to pray, and continued in prayer until almost morning.

Now a little before it was day, good Christian, as one half-amazed, broke out in passionate speech, “What a fool am I thus to lie in a stinking Dungeon, when I may as well be at liberty. I have a Key in my bosom called Promise that will, I am persuaded, open any lock in Doubting Castle.” Then said Hopeful, “That’s good news. Good Brother, pluck it out of thy bosom and try.” And the prison gates flew open.

(Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times. Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc. From a sermon by Matthew Kratz, The Attack on Hope, 8/27/2011)

Has Giant Despair trapped you in the dark dungeon deep in the bowels of doubting castle? Does sadness, fear, doubt and depression gather like ominous storm clouds in the sky of your mind and heart? We live in a sin cursed world. Death and decay are all around us. What are we to do?

This morning we are launching a 7 week series entitled “Anchored to Hope in a Stormy World”. The Bible for term is not simply positive thoughts but rather a rock solid assurance of truth.

This morning’s simple text verse serves as a testimony and a promise.

Psalm 147:3 KJV

He healeth the broken in heart, And bindeth up their wounds.

But how can God possible do that when life is so messed up? Buckle up my friend! We are off on a spiritual journey to find promises to which we can anchor our very souls. Today I am hear to tell you without a doubt that there is Hope in the Midst of Heartbreak!

Because We Have A Savior!

John 3:16 KJV

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

We need one because we are sinners.

Romans 3:10 KJV

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Romans 3:23 KJV

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Proverbs 16:25 KJV

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.

We need one because that sin deserves punishment.

Romans 6:23 KJV

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Revelation 21:8 KJV

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

We need one because we cannot save ourselves.

Galatians 2:21 KJV

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

We need to accept the Salvation offered by Faith.

John 3:16 KJV

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Acts 16:30–31 KJV

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Romans 10:13–14 KJV

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Because We Have An Anchor

Hebrews 6:17–19 KJV

Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 

That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

God’s Counsel Does Not Change

God Even Swore An Oath On Top of His Reputation

God Cannot Lie! 

Therefore you can drop anchor on His promises!

As in human affairs an oath puts an end to all arguments, so too there can be no argument about this expectation since God confirmed it with an oath. If anyone, such as a sectarian, denied this eschatological anticipation, he was flying in the face of the strongest possible divine guarantee. Not only was it impossible for God to lie, but His ever truthful Word was supported in this case by His oath. These are the two unchangeable things, which encourage those who take hold of the hope1

1 Hodges, Z. C. (1985). Hebrews. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 797). Victor Books.

The phrase “fled for refuge” (Heb. 6:18) suggests the Old Testament “cities of refuge” described in Numbers 35:9ff and Joshua 20. God appointed six cities, three on each side of the Jordan, into which a man could flee if he had accidentally killed someone. The elders of the city would investigate the case. If they determined that it was indeed manslaughter and not murder, they would permit the man to live in the city until the death of the high priest. Then he could return to his home. The members of the slain man’s family could not avenge themselves so long as the man remained in the city.

We have fled to Jesus Christ, and He is our eternal refuge. As our High Priest, He will never die (Heb. 7:23–25); and we have eternal salvation. No avenger can touch us, because He has already died and arisen from the dead

1 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 298). Victor Books.

Because We Have Witnesses

David Is Witness That We Can See Our Babies Again!

2 Samuel 12:18–23 KJV

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? 

But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. 

Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. 

Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. 

And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? 

But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

 • David was a prophet, so he did receive new revelation from God.

Acts 2:29–31 KJV

Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 

Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 

He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

 • David knew the child died.

 • David expected to SEE him – recognize him again.

 • David expected to live after the grave.

Psalm 17:15 KJV

As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

Psalm 23:6 KJV

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

 • David comforted his wife with these truths.

2 Samuel 12:24 KJV

And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.

Samuel is Witness That Suicide is not Greater Than Salvation!

1 Samuel 28:15–19 KJV

And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do. 

Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? 

And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David: 

Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day. 

Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

 • Samuel was dead, yet he was animate.

 • Samuel used the same wording David did about his child.

 • Samuel used the same wording Christ used to the Thief on the Cross.

1 Samuel 31:3–6 KJV

And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers. 

Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. 

And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him. 

So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together.

Paul is Witness That There Is No Sinner So Bad That Jesus Cannot Save Them!

1 Timothy 1:15 KJV

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 KJV

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 

Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Romans 8:31–39 KJV

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 • Have you had an abortion? Jesus can save you!

 • Are you an addict? Jesus can save you!

 • Are you an adulterer, a homosexual, or prostitute? God can save you!

 • There is no sinner who comes to Jesus in faith that will be rejected!  

 • We have this hope!

 • We are anchored not only to God’s word, but He swore an oath that we can trust Him!

 • He cannot lie!

 • We can believe the Witnesses! David said he would be with his baby again. Samuel said that even Suicide cannot separate us from the love of God! Have you lost a believing loved one to suicide? You can see them again!

 • Are you a sinner? ( we all start out like that) Christ can save you!

We have these truths to anchor our souls in the midst of heartbreak!

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:29 PM March 23, 2022.