You can find hope in your darkest hour through the faithfulness of God. Harry Teuchert knows this is true. For years Harry had been a successful publisher of materials for churches. Everything in his life seemed to be perfect: A lovely home, a family, a solid future; but all this suddenly collapsed. Harry's wife told him she was leaving him. She was in love with someone else.

Devastated, Harry tried to cope, work, continue with his life, but this tragedy was too overwhelming. Despite all the other good things in his life, Harry felt like a complete failure with nothing to live for.

He was on the road to meet with a church about their anniversary publication. Arriving early, Harry sat down in the fellowship hall. Suddenly, he began to think about suicide. His life was over. All was finished. As he sat at a table, he began to cry intensely, holding his head in his hands. The more Harry wept, the more he was convinced that his life had ended. He would continue no more. He was beaten. It would be so easy to end it all.

In total despair he looked up and noticed a faded poster on the far wall. In that picture was the image of a man in the same despair Harry was going through -- Head in his hands in complete anguish. Then, as Harry studied the poster further, he noticed a smaller image in the lower right corner of the poster: Three crosses, on a hill, surrounded by a dark sky. Beneath the center cross these simple words were inscribed, "I know how you feel; I've been there myself."

While staring at those words, Harry fell to his knees and prayed, "God, help me." Suddenly God touched Harry with a new flood of hope. He got up telling himself, "I'm going to beat this thing. I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me." Harry got on with his life. And today he is serving the God who came to him in his moment of greatest trial.²

The Lord used a faded poster to remind Harry of His great faithfulness, and now Harry’s story can serve as a reminder to us! God is constantly at work in our lives and will be faithful to complete it. He is using every circumstance to build His character in us. Jesus knows how we feel and will walk faithfully with us through this journey.

Suggested prayer: Great is your faithfulness, oh God our Father. I believe you are working in my life, and trust that your plan for me is perfect. Help me trust you and hold tight to your promises. Allow me, also, to share these promises with others so that they can experience you like I have. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

1. Hebrews 10:23.

2. www.sermoncentral.com

Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.