Strengthening the heart in God.
What Jonathan did for David when he went to him into the wood of Ziph, David does here for himself—he strengthens his heart in God (1 Samuel 23:16). "Hope in God." We learn here that—
I. HOPE IS BASED ON GOD'S REVELATION OF HIMSELF. We only know God as he is pleased to make himself known to us. In his works and in his Word we find the same character. The lesson comes to us from all sides that God is true, and that his laws should be trusted. Therefore we feel safe in putting ourselves in line with his will; in wholly surrendering ourselves to his guidance and keeping. Whatever may have been dark or dim in ancient days is now made clear in Christ. He hath revealed the Father. Therefore we say to our heart, "Hope in God."
II. HOPE IS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE RIGHTEOUS. We cannot hope in God till we are reconciled to God. Hope is not a chance thing, but born of faith. We cannot hope in God but as we are of the same mind with God. Hope is not an easy thing, but requires the putting forth of our own strength and will. "Like the highest forms of courage, it is a refusal to be borne down and cowed and depressed by evil—a refusal to indulge in the melancholy pleasure of looking and dwelling on the dark side of things." This is an achievement possible only to the righteous, who not only have faith in God, but are able to enlist imagination in aid of faith (Joel 3:16; 1 Peter 1:21).
III. HOPE IN GOD IS ESSENTIAL TO THE RIGHT DISCIPLINE OF LIFE. All kinds of trials come to us. There are troubles without and fears within. There are mistakes we cannot correct, losses we cannot repair, evils to ourselves and others sore to see, but sorer still because they cannot be remedied. Enemies rise up against us (Psalms 43:1). Our hearts are ready to fail for fear, and "for looking after those things which are coming." What are we to do? Shall we give way to despondency, and cry, like Jacob, "All these things are against me"? or shall we let Hope have her perfect work in calming and sustaining our souls? The answer is clear, "Hope in God." Thus we gain strength (Psalms 43:2); thus we secure guidance. God's good angels of "light" and "truth" will lead us in the right way (Psalms 43:3). Thus our path will be onward and upward, nearer to the serene heights and the pure air of heaven, where all is peace and love (Psalms 43:4).
IV. HOPE IN GOD IS A SURE PROPHET OF THE GOOD TIME COMING. Every hope is in a sense a prophecy. But often the prophecy is false. Bright gleams the vision in the distance, but nearer approach and closer scrutiny prove that it is a delusion and a snare. It is like the mirage, which leaves the desert all the barer and the gloomier when it fades into the light of common day. But it is otherwise with the Christian's hope. It is real. It stands inquiry. It verifies itself by the moral effects which it produces. All the future, onward into the vast eternal spaces, is covered by it; and to come. "Christ in us the Hope of glory!" "Thus living, eternal life is begun in our hearts; thus and thus only, under the teaching and moulding of the Divine Regenerator of our nature, does the heavenly life in time anticipate and herald and prepare for, and, blending with it, at last is lost in, the life of heaven for eternity" (Archer Butler).—W.F.
Psalms
Psalms 43 - psalms-43 - worlddic.com