This past weekend at Chippewa Correctional-West, I encountered a prisoner with hope. Now, as the line from The Shawshank Redemption says, “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.” The right hope, though, is the key. That hope must also have a foundation. This man’s hope, I believe, is not based on a firm foundation and is hope that I have encountered far too often.
One of the very first prisoners I encountered back in 1997 was a man who was convinced he would be released “shortly” because of this passage of Scripture:
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; (Is. 61:1, ESV)
How had he come to that conclusion? He had heard more than one TV preacher proclaim that – both on television and in written materials that had been sent to him. Is that what that passage is about? Of course not. But encouraging prisoners to think it sure does keeps the financial support coming in, right? Yes, there is sarcasm attached to that comment, but there’s also truth there as well. This prisoner had a trip back to the county where he was convicted upcoming where he was convinced his case would be thrown out and he would be home within a year. It’s now almost 13 years later. This man is still in prison.
The prisoner from this past weekend repeated a “prophecy” that I have heard from numerous other prisoners over the years. I’ve done a search and have been unable to verify whether or not it was actually said (or published), so I will withhold the TV preacher to whom it is attributed. The prophecy goes something like this:
The Lord will be doing a mighty work in the prisons of Michigan and He will do that by releasing almost all of the prisoners in Michigan!
I preface my comments by saying that even with all the time I’ve spent serving in prisons, I still do not have a clue what it is like to be incarcerated and I would be foolish in saying to a prisoner, “I understand.” I don’t. I haven’t been there. I can’t fathom the senses of despair, loss, hopelessness, fear and so on that a prisoner endures. The harm caused to his family. The financial/material loss.
Having said that, there is so much false hope offered to prisoners and far too often, that “hope” is offered by Christians. It is not universal – the most passionately held desire by prisoners, but it’s pretty doggone close – the single thing most desired by prisoners is “to go home.” They just want to come back and live on the other side of the fence. Far too often I’ve seen Christians try, with all good intentions, to encourage prisoners by telling them they “know” that God will show mercy and let them go early. In some cases, it also seems to be a coping mechanism for those serving long sentences. I know men serving multiple life sentences who are truly convinced they will be going home soon. I have a friend I’ve known for a while who, if the state keeps him as long his sentence allows, will not be released until he is 110 years old. His earliest release date is when he is in his mid 60′s. He in convinced that he is going to be released and father the son he never had. Possible? Sure. A definite? No.
Those, such as the man I encountered this past weekend who is the latest to place his trust in this so-called “prophecy” (if such was ever even uttered/published – I’m still not convinced) are placing their hope in the wrong place. Yes, I know some will say, “You don’t understand.” They’re right. I don’t understand the prison experience. But I do understand the Scriptures. God may choose to free the prisoners. He has also ordained the state as a means of maintaining order in this fallen creation. Seeing the peace that prisoners have who have placed their hope in the right place – prisoners who are doing life sentences – is a wonderful thing.
The old song says, “Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.” There’s a lesson for all of us – where is our hope?
This false hope, this temptation of satan. I have spent time in prison and it is a thing that goes on more than one would like. People like you who bring Truth to them are an inspiration. I have stated prison is the breeding ground of satans followers. To use God’s name in false hope is upsetting at the least. But when one has fallen so far that they feel they cant go any lower they so often grab onto anything that looks like a life line. Keep up the good work. I will pray for those you meet and for your strength.