As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God

"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me.... 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. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God? 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" (Psm. 42). I just love the honesty of the heart of David, who knew what it is to wait on God, including sometimes when it felt like God may not come through for him. However, his faith knew better than that, and therefore his hope was never extinguished; because his hope was not in himself or any earthly source, but in the God who never fails those who trust in him.

Things and times can sometimes prove to be very difficult in a lot of ways, but the good news is that there is ALWAYS hope in God. On the other hand, no matter how good things may seem to be going for anyone whose trust and hope is not in the Lord Jesus Christ; there is simply NO hope in that case. Don't be fooled by those who seem to prosper in their lives in so many ways, and yet are not living their lives unto Jesus in holiness and truth (Psm. 73:3,5,12,16-20). The scriptures and life experience itself tells us that it is an impossible endeavor to have hope apart from the hope that is in Christ (Jer. 12:1-3; Rev. 3:16,17). Everyone whose full trust is not in the mercy of God is living a lie and continually seeking security and shelter that simply is not there. And with good reason they are continually afraid that the security and shelter that they THINK is there is going to fall through. But for all who do put their full trust in God, and who continue doing good in all seasons, the security and shelter that may sometimes feel to be falling through will in fact NEVER fail; because their security and shelter is the Lord himself, who is faithful to uphold, deliver, and strengthen those who trust in him. And because both sides of this truth and reality are certain, the ancient proverb stands true: "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion" (Prov. 28:1). Yes there is boldness in the hope of God's mercy and grace, because it is absolute toward "them who fear him, [and] them that hope in his mercy" (Psm. 147:11). So do not fear or be overcome by circumstances or men my friend, for it is certain that having hope far exceeds having no hope. Amen.