DARE TO HOPE IN GOD FOR HELP (1)

“Many are they who say of me, “There is no HELP for him IN GOD.” But You, O Lord, are a shield for me…” – Psalm 3: 2-3a

The thrust of God’s Word for this month has been for us to DARE TO HOPE IN GOD FOR HELP: “Many are they who say of me, “There is no HELP for him IN GOD.” But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head” (Psa.3: 2-3). Without Hope there’s no Help! Humanity is facing a relentless onslaught of hopelessness. The media are saturated with persistent pulsations of pressures, pain, stress, desperation, and hopelessness. Family disarray, marital schism, immoral addictions, business failures, job losses, bankruptcies, violence, and natural disasters, are causing multitudes to lose hope and succumb to despondency.

Strangely, the assault of hopelessness does not exclude believers, some of whom are facing trying times in their career, homes, and finances, and are almost at their wits end. In a tempestuous world of difficulties, depression, and despair, many are wondering, “Is there any Hope?”. People feel overwhelmed by their needs, the challenge of living holy in a milieu of iniquity, and keeping pure amidst pervasive impurity. At such times, we need to know that however adverse the situation may be, God is our “very present help” in trouble (Psa.46:1). Even though we may be encircled by troubles on every side, the Lord is our Light of Hope and Help – “the One who lifts up [our] head” (v.3).

In this psalm, David cried for Help at a time when his whole life seemed to have been turned upside down. This man after God’s own heart had more problems than most would imagine. His son, Absalom, rebelled, wanting to take his father’s life and usurp the throne! He courted the people’s favour, deceptively stole the hearts of many, and proclaimed himself as king, until he was fatally stopped. Despite the dilemma, David trusted God to shield, sustain, and rescue him. His hope was not in men, in the world or worldly things, but in God and His promises.

We are called dare to Hope in God for Help. To be blessed by Him does not infer the absence of problems. Rather, we must be aware that come what may, God is committed to protect us and answer our prayers, even if adversaries have concluded that “there is no help” for us in Him (v.2). He is our Source of Sustenance and Rest (v.5). There’s Power in His Word to transform us from inside-out. Meditating on and applying His truths will renew our Hope and connect us to Divine Help. We can choose to remember God's faithfulness, love, and mercy, despite the pervading desolation. He calls us to return to Him in humility, rebuild our Hope, restore Hope to others, and enjoy Divine Help and Blessings: “Salvation belongs to the Lord, Your blessing is upon Your people” (v.8). We can DARE to HOPE in GOD for HELP!