When the psalmist asked, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?” (Psalm 43:5), he was describing an inner commotion, possibly even an uproar of heart and mind, a turbulence experienced within one’s soul. 

Such a disquieting within, such noise in one’s inner being would surely lead the psalmist to declare “there is no hope,” wouldn’t it? 

Quite the contrary! In fact, the psalmist firmly answered his questions with the only remedy to his inner disturbance, and our’s as well: “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 43:5).

How can WE be confident in hope when everything around us suggests otherwise? How can we stand securely when inner turmoil seemingly strips us of the little hope that we have? 

First, let us remind ourselves of the true definition of hope, the Biblical definition, that as children of God, we can have a “confident expectation in the good that is yet to come.” We will not be disappointed! 

Second, like the psalmist, let us recall the proper source of hope; our hope is not found in people or in situations improving or in our own resolve to do better. Our hope is found in God alone. 

Third, let us receive His lavish love, which was demonstrated upon the cross and has since been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. This great love convinces us that we are His! 

Fourth, let us rejoice and declare with the psalmist, “I will yet praise Him!” Warren Wiersbe wrote, “The cure for being down is to hope in God and praise Him. Your hope in Him is well founded, for He is ever faithful to His Word. Are you discouraged? You may not be able to change your circumstances, but you can praise God.” 

Last, let us remain in His Word, “God’s book of hope.” As we read His Word, we can’t help but be encouraged by His promises and take heart through His perspective. “No one is hopeless whose hope is in God’s Word.”

There is a saying, “No God. No Peace. Know God. Know Peace.” We could additionally say, “No God. No Hope. Know God. Know Hope.” 

So let us today affirm that, yes, our hope is in God alone and we WILL praise Him!