August 26, 2005

Love Always Hopes (1)

1 Cor. 13:7c; Psalm 42

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

—  Psalm 42:5

God’s love moves us to believe that he will see us through the worst of times. Let’s see how the power of hope worked in the life of the believer of Psalm 42.

This man of God is in exile, a prisoner of war in a strange land. Is he being punished by God? Maybe, we can’t be sure. Maybe it’s just one of the tragic consequences of living in a world where innocent people often suffer as a result of the decisions, right or wrong, of other people.

How is he doing? He is often lonely, anxious, and depressed. He longs to be back among his people in his land, worshiping God “with shouts of joy and thanksgiving.”

But here he is, a prisoner in a strange land, mocked by his enemies who say to him all day long, “Where is your God?”

What does this believer do to lift his spirit from the pit of despair? Over and over again he says to his soul: “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and God.”

My friend, no matter what you are going through, keep on putting your hope in this great truth: Nothing in all creation—not even death—“will be able to separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).

PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for your love that moves me to hope that you will never leave me nor forsake me. Work through me to share this hope with the hopeless. In Jesus’ name. Amen. ​

About the author — Richard E. Williams

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