Hope in God
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalms 42:5 NIV
How is it possible to have hope in the midst of terrible circumstances? When dark times close in, doesn’t it feel like you have no real choice but to get swallowed up with heaviness and despair?
The Psalmist acknowledges his great sadness before God. He talks about crying almost continually. Things look very dark. But then, somehow, out of the depths of his despair, he speaks to his soul. He says, “Put your hope in God. Praise him. Come on, you can do it.” It’s like he is cheering himself on to refocus his eyes to where God is.
Your pain is real. The heaviness you feel is real. And it is also real that God is alive. He has a way for you to stand up in the midst of the pain. It begins first by remembering what God has already done in your life (see Psalm 42:5-6). Can you think back to when God showed you his faithfulness, when he showed you he cared? Perhaps it was a timely Scripture, a friend’s kind words or a sudden provision of finances. But he has revealed himself to you many times, hasn’t he?
Then the Psalmist leads himself in worship… not because he feels like it. In fact, he feels terrible. But he chooses to speak out, “I will hope in you. I will praise you.” Use your mouth (the declaration of praise) to call your emotions to line up with the truth that God is alive. Don’t remain silent. Speak out, sing out, get active in your worship.
Now watch new strength enter into your soul, as you simply remember what God has already done in your life, and as you start getting vocal with your praise and thanksgiving. Turn your longing for relief into a longing for God.
Your pain is real. And hope is real. God is alive and has a way forward for you. Remember him. Long to be close to him. Begin praising him. And the heaviness will begin to lift. Put your hope in God.
The Psalmist acknowledges his great sadness before God. He talks about crying almost continually. Things look very dark. But then, somehow, out of the depths of his despair, he speaks to his soul. He says, “Put your hope in God. Praise him. Come on, you can do it.” It’s like he is cheering himself on to refocus his eyes to where God is.
Your pain is real. The heaviness you feel is real. And it is also real that God is alive. He has a way for you to stand up in the midst of the pain. It begins first by remembering what God has already done in your life (see Psalm 42:5-6). Can you think back to when God showed you his faithfulness, when he showed you he cared? Perhaps it was a timely Scripture, a friend’s kind words or a sudden provision of finances. But he has revealed himself to you many times, hasn’t he?
Then the Psalmist leads himself in worship… not because he feels like it. In fact, he feels terrible. But he chooses to speak out, “I will hope in you. I will praise you.” Use your mouth (the declaration of praise) to call your emotions to line up with the truth that God is alive. Don’t remain silent. Speak out, sing out, get active in your worship.
Now watch new strength enter into your soul, as you simply remember what God has already done in your life, and as you start getting vocal with your praise and thanksgiving. Turn your longing for relief into a longing for God.
Your pain is real. And hope is real. God is alive and has a way forward for you. Remember him. Long to be close to him. Begin praising him. And the heaviness will begin to lift. Put your hope in God.
