Preaching Hopelessness

You wearied yourself by such going about, but you would not say, ‘It is hopeless.’ Isaiah 57:10


If you read Isaiah 57 in its entirety, you'll find that it is an accusation against those involved in spiritual adultery who shamelessly gives themselves over to false gods and prostitute their lives with idols. The language is graphic and the situation is seedy, shameful and sad. It speaks primarily to the people of Israel in the time of Isaiah, and secondarily but no less importantly to people of any age who wear themselves out running after anything OTHER than the one true Lover, yet never acknowledging the hopelessness of the pursuit.

One goal of Biblical preaching should be to demonstrate to people their hopeless case apart from the grace of Christ. Haven't all of us who believe been at that point? Haven't we each come to the place where we've said, "It's hopeless" and we've realized, while we're panting for breath, the absurdity of our running after "other gods" in order to avoid running to the One True God?

If we preach, we should pray for the Holy Spirit to convict while we plead the case: It's hopeless apart from Christ! Stop striving! The promise is that "whoever takes refuge in [God] will inherit the land and possess [His] holy mountain."

If people don't or won't realize they are hopeless, they will have no awareness of their need for hope.