How to Find Hope and Purpose When the Sun has Set in Your Life

There may be seasons in your life where darkness surrounds you and you realize there's no hope in this world. Let me bring you good news, that this season is not permanent! Let's see how Jacob and Moses overcame these seasons by changing their focus onto something special and emerged victorious.

Genesis 28: 11- 12

"When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it."

To give you all the context of these verses briefly, here we see Jacob who played along with his mother to betray his dear brother Esau to receive all the blessings from his father,Issac. When Esau realized that Jacob received all the blessings reserved for Esau, he became furious and wanted to kill his own brother. Knowing this, Rebekah adviced Jacob to flee to Laban.

Although Jacob had one of the greatest days in his life by getting all the blessings from his father in place of his elder brother, he was in an utterly confused and fearful state fearing his own life. As a consequence of cheating his brother to receive these blessings, Jacob had to run away from his home and his own family to pursue a future which was very uncertain. That’s when in his life, he reached a "certain place" and he had to stop because the sun had set in his life. 

Today, many of us are in similar situations! We imagine as though we have gained a lot of blessings in this life, but in reality we are in the midst of uncertainties and the sun has set in our life. We are unable to perceive what the future holds for us and life may seem empty even with all the worldly blessings. But God can use such nights to restore our focus unto Him. 

When Jacob focused on God in his dream, he received the greatest promise from God in Genesis 28:15

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

Today, God is asking us to ponder where our focus has been placed. Are we focused on blessings, riches and prosperity alone or is our focus to see the glory of God?

When we read about Moses, we will be convinced that he always found comfort in the glory of God, Shekhinah. Exodus 33:7-11 discusses about Moses and the Tent of Meeting. Moses was in constant communication and companionship with the LORD and had a dedicated Tent of Meeting for the LORD. While Jacob lost his focus and God brought him through a situation to meet with him in his dream, Moses relied on a Tent of Meeting in all situations. 

Moses had a clear conscience before God that whenever he went into the tent, God’s presence would come down to him. It reminds us that if our hearts goes forth towards God to meet Him, He will graciously come down to meet us. Do we have such a Tent of Meeting in our prayer life where we constantly have a communication with God, asking God for guidance? 

What made Moses to seek God's glory at all times?

1. When Moses shifted his focus from tending his father-in-law’s sheep to look at God’s glory, he was called and set apart for deliverance of Israelites.

2. In that glory, God promised Moses that He will be with him (Exodus 3: 12). 

3. It was this glory that transformed him of his weakness and equipped him for a greater calling.

4. It was also this glory that revealed to him who God is and what His name is.

Therefore, Moses always longed for God’s glory and presence. 

In various chapters of Exodus we read of people seeing God’s glory, but soon they forgot when they set their focus on other things. Exodus 14: 31, 16:10 shows that Israelites saw God’s glory, but soon their attention shifted to other worldly things and other gods. But Moses was different!

When we read about the Tent of Meeting, it describes how the LORD would speak to Moses face to face ---- free, open, near and approachable manner. But more than that it reveals how God spoke to him as a friend ---- kind, compassionate, non-judgmental and loving. It suggests that even today, we can have a similar relationship and communication with God in our tent of meeting. 

Exodus 33:13-18 shows us a glimpse of the powerful conversations that Moses had with God: 

If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”

Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”

Few noteworthy attributes of Moses could be seen in this conversation:

1. Here, Moses is asking God to teach His ways so that he could know Him more and would continue to find God’s favor. Moses wasn’t satisfied by the knowledge and relationship with God that he already possessed, he longed for more of God’s presence. 

Remember that this was in a time when all the rest of the people around Moses had focused on other perishable items of this world and even had lost fear of God. But God had a remnant, Moses.

2. For such people, Moses is seen interceding with God with a huge burden and concern towards the nation. Moses' intercession didn't go in vain as we see shortly after this conversation. Israelites found favor with God just through Moses' intercession.

   
   

   If you and your family are the only remnants, don’t be discouraged! You are sufficient to save your unsaved families or even the nation through your intercessory prayer.

3. Moses wanted to see God's glory in all seasons of life and that became his shelter in times of trouble.

Just like Moses, let’s pray for God to show us the same glory that He showed us when He first called us. 

How can we stand different from others in this generation?

1. By turning our focus to God

2. By interceding for the nations and those around you. Realize that our intercession can turn God’s wrath away from nations and bring back favor into the nations.

3. By longing for God’s glory and His presence more than anything

Although Jacob faced uncertainties and had seasons where the sun had set in his life, when he shifted His focus to God, Jacob had a daybreak in his life in Genesis 32: 24 "So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak."

At this daybreak, God blessed him and changed his name. Jacob asked God just to be with him and watch over him and give him food and clothes (Gen 28: 20-21). But God blessed him exceedingly and abundantly.

You may be at a point in your life when the sun has set in your life and you can’t see any way out! But if you shift your focus to God and long for His glory more than anything, know that a daybreak is coming your way where God will bless you and change your situations. While you navigate these uncertain days, make sure you also have a tent of meeting with God at all times.