HOPE THOU IN GOD

Anita Clark – Pastor, Grace Chapel, Carbondale, Kansas

“Why art thou cast down , O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me. hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God” – Psalm 42:11.

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance” - V. 5.

We often don’t know why we are in a trial or test.   Sometimes, it is to cause us to grow or change, or be prepared to help others.  II Corinthians 1:3-4 gives us a solution to that cast down feeling.  “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we might be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” Note: He gives us “consolation.”

The word “hope” is found 69 times in the Old Testament and 61 times in the New Testament.  In Psalms 42:5, It says, “Why art thou cast down , O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. The word “hope” means in the original Hebrew- “an attachment or expectation, to wait, be patient and trust in God.” “Countenance” is defined as “the sweet experience in the heart and soul which comes from seeing and knowing the loving fellowship of God.”  To be “cast down” means in the Hebrew, “to be bowed down.” The word “disquieted” means “a commotion, or turmoil, to be in an uproar.” So, we all go through trials, but He is with us.  We have victory! We “hope in God.”  

It says in Psalms 42:5 “...I will yet praise Thee for the help of Thy countenance.”  His “countenance” speaks of His presence with us and in us, as we walk through this rugged life here on earth.    Psalms 71:5 says, “For Thou art my hope, O Lord God, Thou art my trust from my youth.” And Vs. 14, “But I will hope continually, and will yet praise Thee more and more.”

Apostle Paul says in Romans 5:1-2, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; By whom we have access by faith into this grace, wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”  Note: “...rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

The word “hope” used in the New Testament means “ to anticipate, with pleasure, expectation or confidence.” This is not like the expression “Well, I hope so.” this is speaking of the time Christ will be exalted as the King of kings and Lord of lords.  He will be glorified.  The word “glorified” speaks of Christ Jesus’ “being exalted to the place He has been waiting for.”  His bride will be called away from earth and will reign with Him. Do you know that one of these days, we will be what is called “glorified”?  This speaks of “having a new body (like unto His glorious body), when Christ comes back and we are changed into His likeness. We have a “hope” to be there with Him in our new bodies.  Do you believe this?  Is this your “hope”?

Ephesians 1:15-18 reads, “Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you in my prayers.  That God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance of the saints.” Now, Apostle Paul using the words “hope of His calling.” It can be defined as “the divine guarantee, the confident expectation.”

 Hebrews 2:10 says, that through the death of Christ, He would “...bring many sons to glory.”  Our Lord Jesus wants us to know and share in “the riches of His glory” - not natural riches, but “untold, unspeakable treasure in heaven,” - “the glory of His inheritance of the saints.” Did you ever think of what Jesus will get out of all this?  His hope - “His inheritance of the saints.”  How delightful it will be for Him to be united to His beloved people, who love Him supremely.

Romans 12:12, states “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation.”  I Cor. 15;19 say, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”  Colossians 1:26-27, “...the mystery which hath been hid from ages and generations, but now is made manifest to His saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Also verse 5, “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of truth of the Gospel.”

Our hope is that Jesus will come very soon. In I Thessalonians 4:13-18 Apostle Paul speaks of “those who have no hope.”  Then he goes on to describe the coming of the Lord Jesus, and how it will be enacted.  Christ will come as a thief in the night and only those who are watching and waiting for Him will hear that first trumpet sound, “Come up hither.” 

I John 3:1-3 finds John, the disciple of Christ saying, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that, when He shall appear we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that has this hope in him purifieth himself even as He is pure.”   What do we do as we look forward to the Lord’s coming?  We yield to the working of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to purify our lives, and make us more like Christ. LOOK UP! This could be the day when our HOPE is brought to pass.