Here's Hope!

Jake Hess, the great gospel singer was known to say, “Things are going to get better, get worse or stay about the same.” How true!

We all seem to face three types of trouble: things that troubled us in the past, things that are troubling us now and things we expect to trouble us in the future. Trouble seems to be a large part of everyone’s life.

David had his troubles, too. In fact, his troubles were so severe that he was downcast by what had happened in his past and when he viewed his future he became discouraged by what he expected to happen to him.

When he realized his situation, however, he asked himself two questions: “Why are you downcast, O my soul, Why so disturbed within me?” The word “downcast” means “to be depressed” and the word “disturbed” means “to growl like a bear.”

When he looked within himself at his depression, he became so troubled that it sounded like a bear was growling inside of him. But suddenly, he decided to look upward and said to his soul, - himself - “Put your hope in God,” not in yourself!

And when he did he said, “For I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” His inner feelings expressed themselves in questions of despair and defeat. In this moment of loneliness his faith was tested and tried but not trampled by doubt. Ultimately he triumphed by giving himself some great advice: “Put your hope in God,” he said, “and continue to praise Him!” And he did.

Faith and doubt often appear as twins. But when doubt was about to triumph, his hope surged within him and he overcame the troubles he faced by the hope he had in God.

Prayer: Father, in our moments of despair may we turn to You with a never-ending hope that assures us of Your presence. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 42:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.