Job 14:7-9– “For there is hope for a tree,
if it be cut down, that it will sprout again,
and that its shoots will not cease.
8 Though its root grow old in the earth,
and its stump die in the soil,
9 yet at the scent of water it will bud
and put out branches like a young plant.
I believe nothing makes our human existence more desperate to be selfish and evil than hopelessness and meaninglessness.  If you have ever been in a situation or an environment where your spirit, family, or community is hopeless, you soon realize that you need some sign of hope to rise above it…
Job was in a season of extreme grief and pain, revealing how our emotions can vacillate and struggle to find stability in tough seasons that leave us feeling in despair.  Yet the Lord would counter our feelings of despair, with being “perplexed” but not hopeless, if we know Him…(2 Corinthians 4:8)
Job illustrates that a tree dying has the “hope” of being revived at the scent of water.  Much like Job, when we are struggling in our emotions to see any sign of hope, our emotions can lead us to think we will never get out!  As difficult as those situations are, God desires a trust that is blind to what we can see, yet gives us a “scent of hope”, a mustard seed of faith or a “seed of righteousness” to trust in the Lord…(Luke 17:5-6, 1 John 3:9)
Eventually like Job, if we keep seeking the Lord He gives us the grace to persevere, which produces character and hope, which will not leave us ashamed.  We are not ashamed once we come through such “valleys”, because we learn contentment in God alone, as well as realizing He is ordering our steps for His purpose, conforming us to Christ…(Romans 5:3-5) 
If you find yourself in a season of darkness, tempting you to despair of life, seek God, and “signs” that He is with you.  The illustration of a tree hopeful for the “scent of water” to be revived, is that the tree knows it’s source for life.  We also must know our Source is Christ, so we are to seek Him.  Upon seeking Him, He revives and renews strength because He is our hope.  So we are not left to despair in darkness, but hopeful for light and Life through Christ.(Psalm 19:7-11)In HIs Love, Ld.