HOPE
"Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future” (Robert H. Schuller).
Psalm 42:11 is a refrain for two psalms. It is a repeated chorus (Psalm 42:5,11; 43:5). Before those verses are three stanzas of a song, either originally all together or with Psalm 43 as a stanza and chorus added later. In the two psalms' stanzas, the Sons of Korah give four reasons one might be sad: Separation (42:1-4), Condemnation (43:3, 9-10; 43:1-2), Accumulation (42:6-8), and Expectation (43:3-4). However, in that repeated refrain, we see three cures for sadness. Focus on the last verse of Psalm 42, and let's examine them.
First, THE TRUTH cures sadness. The problem, at least in part, was that the psalmist had been listening to himself instead of the Lord! The human mind can conceive ideas worse than reality. But during times of worry, there is a need to turn to the objective truth of God and His word. There He tells us how much He loves us. He gives us precious promises. He says that it will be okay if we are walking with Him no matter what happens in this life. He says, "Stop listening to yourself imagine how bad it can be, and focus on Me! Focus on what My word has to say!" This truth has the power to transform our perspective and fill us with hope.
Second, GOD cures sadness. Note his focus: "in GOD," "praise HIM," and "my GOD." The Lord Himself is a cure for sadness when one hopes in Him. The psalmist mentions himself sixteen more times than he does God in the sixteen verses of these two Psalms. His perspective is off, focusing on self rather than God. But when we shift our focus to God, we feel His love and presence, and our sadness is replaced with a sense of connection and belonging.
Third, THE FUTURE. When you have the truth and God, you have a future. Hope in the Bible has little to do with how we view the word. It is not a "wish" to get something. Biblical hope is desire plus expectation. It is something that one wants to have, and it is something that one expects to get. That expectation is not based on one's worthiness but because of the God who has promised it. The psalmist is going to hope in God, that He is going to carry him through, and will expect something better waiting for him in the future. This promise of a better future fills us with optimism and reassurance.
When someone comes before the Almighty, they can find hope. Look to God, focus on Him, listen to His word, pray, and talk to Him. Know that He is there. He wants to celebrate his children's good times, but He also wants his children to come to Him in times of sadness and depression and find the hope that He provides. I love you, and God does too!
Corey Sawyers is the preaching minister for the Martin Church of Christ and an adjunct instructor for Bear Valley Bible Institute. He is Melody's husband and Daddy to Garrett (and Bailey), Gordon (and Lauren), and Gannon. Autumn is on the way!
