Monday 3 February

2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30, 16:5-13a; Ps 3; Mark 5:1-20

Hope, despair and salvation

David was in the depths of despair, his people deserting him, and fleeing for his very life. The Gerasene demoniac was also in the depths of despair, beset by demons and totally isolated. Yet they both had hope, as the psalmist did, hope that God would rescue them. That seems a paradox, because hope is the opposite of despair. We have yet to read David’s fate, but the demoniac’s hope was fulfilled and he evangelised the Decapolis. So no matter how deep our despair, there is always hope in Christ!