Compelling Love

In this turbulent world, whatever life may bring, our faith and hope are in God.  We can command our souls as David did in Psalm 42:11, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.” 

Blogger Amber Rae Sunshine comments on this verse:

“I love how the author of this Psalm tells his soul to hope in God. Life becomes tumultuous when we wander from God’s truth.  Our spirits become restless and chaos fills our minds.  Our hope is lost to chaos.  We need to be reminded that our hope is in God.

“One of my biggest takeaways from therapy has been the practice of re-centering my mind and spirit on unshakable truths rather than the thoughts that race through my mind.

“The easiest truth to center yourself on is the character of God:
His constant, boundless grace
His omnipotence and omnipresence
His overwhelming love for you
His strength that will carry you when you feel too weak to continue

“We need to remind ourselves, and our souls, to hope in the truth of God’s Word and in His character.”

(https://www.amberraesunshine.com/blog/2018/11/3/psalm-4211)

David prays for God’s light and truth to lead Him, and again commands his soul in Psalm 43:

³ Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!
Let them lead me;
Let them bring me to Your holy hill
And to Your tabernacle.
⁴ Then I will go to the altar of God,
To God my exceeding joy;
And on the harp I will praise You,
O God, my God.

⁵ Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.

Blogger Rebecca Brand comments on this Psalm:

“Our hope is in God.  When we feel surrounded by darkness and uncertainty, this Psalm should give us encouragement. God’s truth provides the right path to follow in our lives and His light provides clear vision for us to follow. … This is an awesome psalm to remind us that when we feel discouraged, spend time in prayer and worship, because God’s presence changes atmospheres and He will certainly never let us down.”

Paul prays in Romans 15:13, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  He adds in Romans 15:33, “Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”  This is a fulfillment of Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

Peter describes being born again “to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”.

1 Peter 1 (NKJV)
³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Blogger Mr. Reel comments on this passage:

“There is a razor sharp logic in this passage when we recognize all three persons of the Trinity at work in our salvation. God the Father gave us mercy by loving us and sending His Son Jesus to die for our sins. The Father then raised the Son from the dead so that we, too, can be resurrected for eternal life with Him. When we were saved, the Holy Spirit convicted us of our sins, and then gave us new spiritual life so that we could repent, trust in Jesus the Son, and receive the Father’s forgiveness and grace.”

(https://thereeldeal.blog/2017/09/05/our-living-hope-1-peter-13-5/)

As believers following Jesus Christ, our faith and hope are in God.  Rejoicing in His promises, resting our hope fully upon His grace,  empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can live for His glory.

1 Peter 1 (NKJV)
⁶ In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, ⁸ whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

¹³ Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ¹⁴ as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; ¹⁵ but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶ because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”  …

²⁰ He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you ²¹ who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God

David Krause, dhkrause@neteze.com, https://compellinglove.net/, 9/15/2019

Photo credits:
(1) https://www.amberraesunshine.com/blog/2018/11/3/psalm-4211
(2) https://rebeccabrand.org/2018/05/07/gods-truth-light/
(3) https://www.bibleverseimages.com/joy-bible-verse-4.htm
(4) https://ymi.today/2015/04/typography-1-peter-13/