Hope In God

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.  

Psalm 43:5 

What is the solution for us when we are downcast? The psalmist has asked himself the question, ‘Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?’ The earlier portions of the psalm indicate the source of his distress. An ungodly nation, deceitful, unjust men, and the oppression of the enemy were the cause of his being downcast. The natural-minded person would have a natural solution for him. They might say ‘be more thankful; choose joy; follow the commands of God more closely; be more faithful.’ These solutions all turn downcast souls back to themselves. By contrast, the author knows where the solution is. He says, ‘hope in God.’ Self-help is not the way for us to come out of being downcast. We are not our own saviors. Christ is our Savior. All our hope is in God and God’s hope for us is through Christ. When Elijah was downcast, Christ came to him. When Peter sank in the waves, Christ lifted him. Christ is the hope of His downcast people. If you are downcast today, for whatever reason, look to Christ. He has always been, is now, and shall ever be the Hope of His people. Hope in God.  

Our Good and Gracious God,  
we rejoice that You are the help of the downcast.  
We praise You that when we are at our lowest,  
You lift us up.  

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning