HOPE THOU IN ALMIGHTY GOD!

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my God." — Psalm 42:11 [KJV] 

We are not to expect the sunshine of joy all the way through this vale of tears. Comfortable frames and joyful feelings, though sweet and delightful, are not always so profitable to the soul. Were we always on the mount of joy, alas, we should forget we are strangers and pilgrims on the earth; but should be for building tabernacles of rest in a polluted place; and cry out with the highly-favored disciples, "It is good for us to be here; but they knew not what they said."—Luke 9:33. It is the glory of a Christian to live by faith on Jesus; to judge of His Saviour's love from the word of truth, more than by sense and feeling; yea under dejection and disquiet of soul, then to hope and trust in God, to check and rebuke one's self for doubts and diffidence; this is truly the exercise of faith. Faith supports the soul, and lifts it above the determinations of carnal reason and the suggestions of sense. The believer is to abide steadily by the word of truth, though in heaviness for a season; being persuaded that shortly he shall rejoice in and praise God, even for this gloomy dispensation; concluding from the word of God's grace and faithfulness, "Jehovah Jesus is the health of my countenance, and my God." This is the very joy of faith. Such the sweet experience of David. Mark the frequent declarations to this purpose in the 42d and 43d— Psalms. The Holy Ghost hath recorded these for our instruction. Disciple, it is well for thee to learn wisdom hereby. Thy frame may vary; the foundation of God's love standeth sure; His promises cannot fail; the word of truth, yea the oath of Jehovah, are engaged for the salvation of all who "have fled to Jesus for refuge." Thou mayest meet with many things, from within and without, to cast down thy soul, to distress and disquiet thee; but thou art called to look to Jesus, not to stagger at the promises through unbelief; but, like the father of the faithful, "against hope to believe in hope;" not to consider thine own corrupt nature, its lustings to evil, its enmity to grace, so as to give up thy hope. There is ever cause of humility, but no reason for casting away thy confidence in Jesus in and under thy worst frames. Though thou sinkest to hell, in the view of thy deserts, yet through the righteousness of Jesus, life and salvation are procured for the hell-deserving. Encourage thy soul to hope in him, so shall thou praise and glorify him. "I will bless the LORD at ALL TIMES, His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Why so? "Because my soul shall make her boast in the LORD."—Psalm 34:1, 2. 

-William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.) 


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