I witnessed false hope in a convenience store two weeks ago.

A disheveled, elderly man was patiently standing in line to purchase lottery tickets.  I knew that Powerball tickets were selling in record numbers, as everyone was consumed with the lottery excitement.  Millions of Americans- just like this gentleman- bought tickets for a chance to win $1.5 billion- the largest prize ever in the history of the lottery.

In all honesty, his chances to win were slim.  Odds were 1 in 292.1 million that someone would pull the correct combination of numbers.  He had a better chance of being struck by lightening or bitten by a shark.

But he had hope.  He pulled out a crumpled mass of dollar bills and bought $100 worth of lottery tickets.  He told me that he and his wife scraped together all they could in an effort to become instant billionaires.

I wished him luck.

My heart sank as I watched him pull away in an old car with a shattered back window.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?  Psalm 56:3-4

I prayed for the elderly couple that afternoon.  I prayed that they would find peace from their financial struggles and security for their remaining years.

And I prayed that they could be filled with the hope that can only come through a relationship with Jesus.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  John 10:11

There’s no luck or chance in our walk with Christ.  He’s here for us today and tomorrow.  We have that promise.

Please let me know how I may pray for you this weekend.  God bless.