Consider the extract below, from an online newspaper, TRADE BRIEFS, and see the “lostness” of man, seeking humanist alternative to what God has freely provided.

“The New Science of Hope

Hope feels elusive in America right now. Suicides and fatal drug overdoses—so-called deaths of despair resulting from a seeming lack of hope—are at unprecedented levels. Mental-health problems are on the rise: A recent CDC study of teenagers found a significant increase in sadness and vulnerability to suicide over the past decade, particularly among teen girls—a trend that began well before the coronavirus pandemic. In a recent Gallup poll, only 19 percent of Americans said they believe the country is going in the right direction.

What can our society do to encourage hope and combat despair? We might typically think of hope as a touchy-feely emotion that, almost by definition, is divorced from real-life experience. In fact, as more research is beginning to show, hope is an important scientific concept—something we can define, measure, analyze, and ultimately cultivate. Emotions are crucial to a range of human behaviors that have broader economic, social, and political consequences. And hope might just be the most important emotion in that equation, offering a new (if also ancient) way to think about issues such as health, poverty, inequality, education, and despair-related deaths.”

The different North American countries, and perhaps more are experiencing the same plague, irrespective of their level of economic development; but their political rulers under their patron gods are going outside of what Yahweh has provided, for He alone is the God of hope! He alone can provide the hope that gives the quiet needed in these tumultuous times. Our text for today speaks—Now may God, the fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope!

From Yahweh alone springs the fountain of uncontainable joy and peace from which hope flows, because of the Holy Spirit that resides in those who have come to receive Christ. No amount of money paid to sorcerers and hypnotists can solve the unabated increase in violent crimes, suicides and sadness ravaging the nations. The shedim are acting to their character, executing and murdering the ignorant and the deceived in their numbers. It is time to run to Jesus Christ. Shalom.

Pastor Afolabi Oladele