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  WE ARE NOT WITHOUT HOPE
  by David Wilkerson
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Summary: We can maintain hope in difficult times by trusting in God's
love and righteousness, and by focusing on His promises and deliverance.

Topics: "Hope in Christ", "Joy in Trials"
Scripture References: Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 30:5, Psalm 126:5-6, Isaiah 51:10-11, John 16:22, Romans 15:13, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Philippians 4:4, 1 Peter 1:8-9

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DESCRIPTION
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David Wilkerson emphasizes that those who know Christ's righteousness
are never without hope, even amidst judgment and despair. He reminds us
that God has blessed us with His love and fear, encouraging us to
rejoice and sing despite our circumstances. Drawing from Isaiah 51:11,
Wilkerson highlights that the redeemed will return to God with joy,
experiencing everlasting gladness that transcends trials. He reassures
that while suffering may persist, our trust in the Lord will elevate us
above pain, allowing us to possess true joy and gladness.

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CONTENT
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We who know Christ's righteousness are not to live as those who are
without hope. We have been blessed with both the love and the fear of
God. And his will for us in the darkest, most terrible times is to
obtain his joy and gladness. Even as we see judgment falling around us,
we're to sing, shout and rejoice--not because judgment has come but in
spite of it.

Isaiah 51:11 begins with the word Therefore, meaning, "In light of what
I've just said." What had God just said here? He had reminded his
people, "[I] made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass
over" (Isaiah 51:10), meaning, "I'm still the Lord, the Ancient of Days,
the worker of miracles. And my arm is still strong to deliver you."

So, what is it God wants his people to know in light of this truth? He
says it all in one verse, Isaiah 51:11:

- "Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with
singing unto Zion." In other words: "I'm going to have a people who
return to me with trust, faith and confidence. They take their eyes off
the conditions surrounding them. And they'll get back their song of
joy."

- "Everlasting joy shall be upon their head." The joy that God's people
experience won't be just for a Sunday morning, or a week or a month. It
will last through the years, through hard times, even to the very end.

- "They shall obtain gladness and joy." God looked down through the ages
and said, "I'm going to have a people who will obtain joy, take, possess
it. They'll lay hold of it, and it will be theirs."

- "Sorrow and mourning shall flee away." This doesn't mean all our
suffering will end. It means our trust in the Lord will put us above
every pain and trial. Such things won't be able to rob us of our joy and
gladness in Christ.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/david-wilkerson/we-are-not-without-hope/
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