Hope in God

Psalm 42:1-5, 11 reads "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all day long, 'Where is your God?' These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God, with the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival. Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence. Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God."

Life surely brings us disappointments and moments (even seasons) of discouragement. Financial trouble, job loss, family illness or death, personal illness, family turmoil with our children/parents, government intrusion, bad traffic, fights with our boss or co-workers, trouble in the church . . . there are so many distractions that are laid before us. Though they don't look like it on the surface, these things are ultimately only distractions that deter us from following our Lord with passion. They are pieces and moments of spiritual warfare that take our focus from the most important thing - our personal relationship with God.

The psalmist speaks of his soul "panting after God". This is a picture of a wild deer in the woods who has run and run and run and run, panting profusely. It is near the point of collapsing on the ground for need of water. Just in time, it finally reaches a small stream, where it fully drinks in the nourishment and healing of fresh water.

When we face moments of despair in life, moments where we can't make sense of it all, moments we wonder where God is, moments when we don't know what to do - we need to run to the Fountain, the River of Life, the Source of everything for us. Jesus declared Himself to be "Living Water". When our inside fountain is dried up, we can run to the One who can fill us and cause a fountain of Living Water to spring up within us (John 7:38).

Notice in this passage is Psalm 42, when we pour out our souls before God, He calls us to HOPE IN GOD! You must remember how God has never left you nor forsaken you. Remember that His love is everlasting toward you. You may not want to praise Him during this time, but you will. His presence is always in you. He will help your countenance to reflect His glory once again. Place your HOPE IN GOD for He is worthy, and He is able to lift you up.

I love the words (and music) of this chorus by Dennis Jernigan:
"There is a Fountain, Who is the King; Victorious Warrior and Lord
of everything; My Rock, my shelter, my very own; Blessed Redeemer
Who reigns upon the throne." (from "Who Can Satisfy My Soul Like You?"
(c) 1989 Shepherd's Heart Music, Inc.)

God is Sovereign, He still reigns upon the throne, whether we recognize it every moment or not. He has a plan of victory for each one of His children. Run to Him to be filled with His presence, His joy, and His hope!