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Hope In God

Text: Text : Ps 42, Ps 43
23 July 2006

(I) THE DYNAMICS OF HOPE

“Hope in God” Psalm 42:5

1. Hope is to anticipate with confidence of the future

2. It is a most certain hope rather than something nebulous

3. The object of hope is God

4. It stems from our faith in God

(II) THE DEPRESSIVE TENDENCIES THAT CAUSE US TO BE HOPELESS

1. Due to the weakness of the soul

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?” Psalm 42:5

2. Due to the weakness of the emotions

“My tears gave been my food day and night” Psalm 42:3

3. Due to the weakness of the mind

“I will say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” Psalm 42:9

(III) THE DIFFERENT WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN HOPE IN GOD

1. God can ignite hope in us through the different ways in which He relates to us

2. Dependant very much on our personal understanding of God and our faith in Him

a) Hope of knowing a living God

“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Psalm 42:2

b) Hope of being helped by the Lord’s countenance

“Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. Psalm 42:5

c) Hope of experiencing His lovingkindness

“The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,” Psalm 42:8

d) Hope of having a song in the night

“And in the night His song shall be with me– A prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42:8

e) Hope of having the strength of God

“For You are the God of my strength;” Psalm 43:2

(IV) THE DEFINITE STEPS OF FINDING HOPE TO BATTLE AGAINST DEPRESSING TENDENCIES

1. A deep longing for God

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” Psalm 42:1-2

2. Remember the memories that we have of experiencing God

a) Memories of going to the temple

“When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise,

With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.” Psalm 42:4

“Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle.” Psalm 43:3

b) Memories of being in the land of the Lord

“Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, and from the heights of Hermon, from the Hill Mizar. Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;

All Your waves and billows have gone over me.” Psalm 42:6-7

3. Addressing the soul

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God,” Psalm 42:5, 11, 43:5

4. Anticipating praise

“Hope in God. For I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.” Psalm 42:5, 11, 43:5