HOPE IN GOD.
Psalm 42:5
The writer of the psalm seemed to have understood what it is like to have a
downcast spirit. In this psalm, he expressed an emotion that many people today
battle. As the times grow more challenging, many people are struggling with
downcast and downcast spirits.
The feelings of many could be summed up in these words;
“I am bowed down and brought very low,
all day long I go about mourning.” (Psalm 38)
How many people go through life believing in their hearts that all hope is
gone? Are you like many, overwhelmed with struggles and brought low?
Are you one who approaches each day believing that all hope is gone? Is
your soul downcast and your spirit disquieted? The Psalmist offers these
comforting words: “Hope in God.”
A DOWNCAST SPIRIT.
If you look at the faces of people, what you might see are people who are
weary, concerned, and pressed down by the challenges of life. There might
be those who feel crushed in spirit and burdened with heavy loads. These are
people who are seeking hope and the strength just to make it through the journey. Some have lost hope and have given in to cynicism and resignation.
Their spirits have been broken to the point that they might say in the words
of the psalm;
“I am overcome by sorrow;
strength me, as you have promised.” (Psalm 119:28)
There are many reasons why people might feel this way. In these times,
many are either struggling to find employment or hold on to their jobs. Then
there those who are struggling with financial or with health issues, family
and relationship problems, the list can go on and on. Pressures from all of
these problems can build up and they can cause people to just crack up.
Now days, there are stories about people who are struggling overwhelming odds. They just pressing on, but each day, they become weary and feel like
giving up. Those who throw in the towel and give up might say; “Oh what’s the
use?” Whatever fight that they had in them has vanished, and whatever hope
that they had has fallen away. When people place all of their hopes in worldly
things, they soon learn that in time, such hopes fail. This kind of hope is not
built upon a firm foundation, but on human aspirations.
There are many people who are neither sympathetic nor understanding towards
those who have a downcast spirit. Those who feel down or depressed might
find themselves shunned and ridiculed. They are seen as weak and whiners who
can’t stand under pressure. If the one who is suffering is a Christian, he might
even receive harsh treatment from other Christians. Such people might be told
that their faith is not strong enough, or that God is punishing them for a
particular sin.
Those who are unbelievers might taunt the sufferer by asking; “Where is
your God? Why isn’t he helping you?” They might to urge the sufferer to
abandon all faith and trust in God. The world seems to offer different solutions
for those who are hurting and downcast. This could range from reading different books to counseling. There is nothing wrong with these approaches,
they can be beneficial. They should not replace faith and trust in a loving and
caring God. He alone offers comfort and peace and restoration. The Holy Spirit
points us to the one who can lift us up and give us strength and hope for the
journey.
Michael Carter
