Hope in God!

Hope in God!

‭Psalm 42:11 KJV‬

[11] Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

There are about 4 statements in the verse above, starting with 2 questions. These are questions that are normal for those who live in the world today. Life happens to the best of us. Trials, tribulations and tough times have been built into the fabric of our human existence due to the fall of man into sin in the Garden of Eden. There will be times when life is difficult to understand, and there will be times when giving up may seem more palatable than pressing on. The sons of Korah who wrote this psalm must have had some unpleasant experiences, which led to the first 2 questions. I also take stock of my life at the moment, and there may be some uncertainty or doubt about how I will thrive in the midst of the storm. Like the sons of Korah, a decision would have to be made: fight or flight? The very first response by the sons of Korah is quite instructive for us today: Hope in God. 

As simple as that statement may sound, it is one of the most difficult to do. The natural man is taught to fend for himself, and do strive to do everything by strength, intellect or luck. It is hard for the natural man to accept its own limitations and to trust in a God who does not really make sense to its self-dependemt nature, but that is why the natural man needs a change in inner content and focus, for it to be totally conquered. Hope in God means knowing about God, submitting to Him, seeking direction and instructions from Him, and being deliberate about obeying His Word. How can anyone hope in someone or something that cannot be seen or touched, unless there is a Presence and power in you that births and sustains that hope? Do you have and know this God? The second response is to then praise this God. 

This is another response that makes no sense to the natural man. How do you praise God under pressure, unless you have come to know and experience His power, might, mercy and grace? God inhabits the praise of His people, and He seeks to show Himself strong in the lives of those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. He can recognize and deal with hypocrisy and eye-service, so there is no point trying to deceive Him. He knows the pressure I am under, yet, He asks me to make an approach to His throne of grace. I cannot come to that throne sincerely, and not be moved to praise Him. The supply from that throne is all I need for life and Godliness. Praise is the fruit of my lips that confess His name and point Him out to the world around me. In the face of unrelenting pressure, what is the decision you need to make today? God's time of favour is here.