Hope in God

​Psalm 43:5 ~ “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”
 
A great deal of distress can be overcome in one faithful glance at the Savior.
 
There are many, and perhaps you’re one of those many (I have been on occasion), who find your very soul cast down and in the grip of despair. Enemies have encircled around you and wars rage within that pummel you into a condition where you find that the light of hope has dimmed and the continued daylight of joy has been shrouded by the gloomy clouds of despondency. Even the psalmist who penned the words of our text today found that his own heart fell into those darkened depths. And when there, it seems as if there is no real avenue of escape. But, beloved, there is.
 
It begins with a question—you must ask yourself, “why.” Our text opens with that very demand of the soul, “Why are you downcast… why are you in turmoil?” So many sit upon their despair as if they were tethered to the condition. They don’t ask “why” but merely acknowledge the fact that they are in a state of gloom. But it is the question that must be pondered: why are you there? What brought you into the state of mind that has you imprisoned behind iron bars of misery? Has sin bound you in its shackles? Has rebellion sent you over the edge and now you’re swallowed up in it as if it were Jonah’s whale? Have earthly circumstances caused you to find that you are overwhelmed? There are many situations, many circumstances that will lead a person to find themselves in the grip of despair.
 
What is it like? Our text gives us two very clear pictures that underscore the weight and frustration of such a condition. First, you are “cast down.” The image is of one who is so overtaxed with a weight of hopelessness that they no longer can carry the burden. They are bowed down, pressed upon with the heaviness of heart that is like an anvil upon their backs. It also bears the image of one who is so sorrowful that they can no longer even stand. With their backs bent for the sheer bulk of anguish. Second, you are “in turmoil.” This conveys the idea that there is a “silent scream” happening in your heart. It is the groaning of despair, the mournful crying out of a soul that can no longer even utter words that make sense, but merely moan in agony of heart.
 
Oh, dear friends, do as the Psalmist indicates and hope in God! That is the cure to the great maelstrom of despair that casts you down. If in hopelessness you have lingered long and you know that there is no relief from the weight which presses on your soul, do not look elsewhere, look to the LORD your Savior. Jonah, deep in the belly of the fish, cried out to the LORD in Jonah 2:2, “I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.” Be as the prodigal son and remember your Father’s house (see Luke 15:17). The LORD is the God of hope. He is the vanquisher of all our sins and will show us mercy and grace in our time of need. Psalm 3:3 says, “But You, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head.” Does God lift your head? Is it too heavy a weight for you and you cannot even lift your eyes to heaven? Then with your head bowed, cry out to the LORD. He will hear your despairing cry and will again bring you into His light.
 
And what is the result of turning again by faith to God? A song of praise. Our text says that we shall again praise Him—for He is our Savior and our God. He is the one who will deliver us from the bondage of sin and free us from the shackles of despair. If you’ve sinned, confess and receive the promised cleansing from our LORD (see 1 John 1:9). If your circumstances are overwhelming you, then trust that the LORD is sovereign even over those, believing His promise that they will come out for your good (see Romans 8:28). Do as the Apostle Paul taught and go in prayer before the Father with all these things. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
 
Are you downcast? Is your heart in turmoil within? Our LORD who loves you will also carry you. Peter tells us to cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us. To look away from the LORD is to despair… a look at the Glorious Savior will dispel the darkness. Let us look to Jesus.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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