Getting Your Hopes Up

"For my hope is from Him" Psalm 62:5

Enjoy reading Psalm 61 & 62

There is no shortage of hope in the Bible. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God and His people spoke of having hope, and all of it in God. Hope isn't merely a good thought or a wish for something good. It is a strong expectation, a belief that good will come, because God is good. I remind myself each day to hope in God. Some days I feel that I am "hoping against hope".

If you are a child of God, your hopes do not have to be vague or weak. You do not have to rely on a situation or a person. The world will tell you to hope in titles, success, money, fame or even yourself. You have something greater. You have the God of all creation on your side! If you are true and faithful to Him, hoping in Him will be an anchor for your soul- no matter what you are facing in life. God is your hope.

The words of King David in Psalm 62 caught my attention, especially his repetitious thoughts. At the time it is believed these words were penned by David, he was facing one of the most senseless, burdensome, challenging events of his life. His son Absalom had become angry with him and took his anger to the extreme. Absalom was out to have his father-the King-assassinated and to have himself put on the throne. Not only was this Absalom's way of dealing with a family problem, but he recruited many to turn against the King and join his conspiracy. David felt alone and betrayed. Two of the worst feelings for a human being. The beloved King of Israel was now in danger.

David did not become King by inheritance or election. He was made King by God's choice and anointing. Now it looked as though the enemy would take all that God had ordained. To top it off, the enemy was (working through) his own flesh and blood. If there was a time for King David to feel that all hope was lost, this was it. Parenting can be heartbreaking at times, but how does a parent deal with such treachery? I cannot imagine the despair and hopelessness that could have gripped David's heart.

David, however, turned to God. In one of the darkest times of his life, he didn't give up, and he didn't seek revenge. To David, hope could not be lost! He spoke of God as his rock, his salvation, his refuge and his strength. And, he said it over again. He let God handle the situation, and kept his hopes "up".

I love the picture I see in my thoughts. The Hebrew word for hope in verse 5 is "tiqvah" which basically means "expectation". This word, however, comes from "qavah" which means, literally, a cord- as an attachment. I see David hanging on to a rope that God has lowered for him (Hanging on for dear life, as we might say, but hanging on, nonetheless). David was climbing up a "rope of hope. "Lead me to the rock that is higher than I" he penned in Psalm 61. He was holding on to God. He was attached to Him. David held onto hope. Absalom held onto anger. David was saved. Absalom was lost.

Ever been "at the end of your rope"? Does a situation seem hopeless? What do you need? Faith? Healing? Answers? Forgiveness? Love? Justice? Maybe you just need hope. Look up to God- your hope, rock, refuge, strength and salvation. Let go of doubt, fear, anger, revenge or hurt and hold on to hope. You will never regret getting your hopes (in God) up.

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick." Proverbs 13:12

Seek and Find

"...diligently seek..." Proverbs 8:17

As a child I loved the hidden picture puzzles. Pictures within a picture that one can't really see- until it is searched out. Once a picture is found, it always seemed to keep catching my eye- while searching for the next picture. (Especially when I color it in).

God is much the same. He is always there. We just don't always know it, or see with our eyes (evidence of Him), because we aren't looking for Him. Still, He is there, waiting for all who say they love Him to seek Him. I've learned that this is to be an everyday experience, not just a once in a while occasion or during a difficult experience in life. It also takes a great deal of faith. Our circumstances or feelings may try to lead us to believe that He can't be found, He's abandoned us in the tough times, or He just isn't concerned with our everyday life. We must lean on our faith and not what we see in our circumstances. Our faith must take hold of His promise "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). In fact, He so longs for us to be close to Him, that He himself is a seeker. 2 Chronicles 16:9 tells us that God looks for those whose hearts are completely His. Am I as willing to seek Him? Are you?

The key is diligence. The word diligence means "a constant and earnest effort". Do we seek God with the same effort as we seek for that perfect job, spouse, education, house, income, etc. Do we know Him as well as we know the stock market, sport statistics, political issues and other current events? God told His people "seek Me that you may live" (Amos 5). God is our source of life. He longs for us to seek Him.

One of the best motivators I have to seek God (other than I have experienced it and know it is life changing) is the reminder that Satan is also a seeker. He is a seeker of me. He is a seeker of you. However, he seeks to destroy us, and he does so diligently, like a lion hunting prey (1 Peter 5:8) . If we aren't seeking God, we make it easier for Satan to find us. I know that when I am diligently seeking God, Satan can have no access in my life!

Can't find God? Keep seeking. Seek Him in His word. Seek Him in prayer. Seek Him in obedience. No matter what you need. No matter what your hurt. No matter what your questions, He will reveal Himself- like the hidden picture popping out in front of your eyes. Has He come through for you at other times in your life? Color those times in your mind and use them to strengthen your faith. Become a Kingdom seeker. A God seeker. A truth seeker. You'll not only find God, but your life as well.