Psa 43:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
The Psalmist here is not having a good day. He is found having a conversation with himself. Have you ever done that? He is asking himself why he is cast down and disquieted. The Hebrew describes a condition of despair, of a troubled mind. Now I suggest to you that he knew exactly what was the cause of this state of inner turmoil. But do you see what he is doing? He is actually telling himself that he should know better than to allow this situation become greater than his God.
In his despair, he clings to the hope he has in God. Or, as I would prefer to think, he clings to The God of hope. The word hope here has the idea of waiting. In other words, he knows that God is not silent in this dilemma. Though presently, he may indeed be wrestling with emotions of discouragement, he calls to remembrance the character of God as He has revealed Himself in Scripture. Isaiah said that God at times hides Himself, but look outside your window. See that great big universe out there? That is The Living God telling you this morning, you may not sense my presence or power right now, but know this, as sure as the universe is in operation, I AM at work in you, around you, and for you. Believing this is called faith in God. Jesus told the bewildered apostles after His cursing of the fig tree, have faith in God.
Beloved, our faith in Jesus Christ does not deny the reality of despair or troublesome situations. Our faith in Jesus Christ doesn’t make bad things go away. Our faith in Jesus Christ enables us to stand strong in Who He is and praise Him in spite of what is going on in us or around us. When discouraged or disquieted today, patiently look to The God of hope for your peace. Faith is the substance of things hoped for,the evidence of things not seen. Praise Him Who is the health of your countenance and your God.
