Hope in God: Finding Peace in the Midst of Despair

Title: “Hope in God: Finding Peace in the Midst of Despair”

(Suggested these Hymns 1) As the Deer Panteth for the Water, 2) Sweet Beulah Land, & 3) It Is Well with My Soul)

Introduction:

Humorous Illustration:

An elderly gentleman always seemed cheerful. When asked how he stayed positive, he said, “I think of my problems as wrinkles on my face. They might not go away, but I can choose to smile through them!”

Transition: Today, we’ll look at Psalm 42 and discover how we can find hope in God even in our darkest moments.

I. The Cry of the Soul

Psalm 42:1–4 KJV

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

A. Longing for God

1. Personal Story:

• As a teenager, I went to church often but never put effort into getting closer to God.

• Trusted myself too much, lacked the Spirit’s filling.

• Now value discipline: read the Bible cover to cover, pray through Psalms, read Proverbs before bed.

• Engage in other spiritual disciplines: fasting, meditation, journaling, solitude, and service.

2. Historical Context:

Sons of Korah, temple musicians, reflecting a deep yearning for God’s presence during exile.

3. Application:

Like the psalmist, we must thirst for God’s presence. Seek God when overwhelmed.

B. Overwhelmed by Sorrow

1. Personal Illustration:

• It’s been a year since my dad passed away. The pain persists, but my family is learning to cope.

• My 84-year-old mother’s grief is overwhelming. We celebrated our second Father’s Day and his Birthday without him last week. The sorrow remains a part of our lives.

2. Literary Context:

The psalmist’s tears have been his meat (food), highlighting intense sorrow and isolation.

3. Application for the Aged:

Like the psalmist, pour out your heart to God in times of loss and sorrow.

II. The Hope in God

Psalm 42:5–8 KJV

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

A. Questioning Our Soul

1. Self-Talk:

-Self-Talk is Normal and Beneficial: Yep, talking to yourself isn't just for the quirky – it's actually good for you! I do it!

-Research-Backed Benefits: Studies from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University confirm that self-talk helps with emotional regulation and problem-solving.

So, you're not just talking to yourself, you're practically a scientist!

-Expert Insights:

- Dr. Ethan Kross, head honcho at the Emotion and Self-Control Lab, says self-talk, whether silent or out loud, helps us focus and manage emotions.

So, next time you catch yourself chatting away, just remember you're boosting your mental health.

- Dr. Jason Moser adds that talking about yourself in the third person can create some much-needed psychological distance from stress, making emotional control a breeze.

It’s like having an out-of-body experience without leaving the comfort of your chair!

`Practical Application: Next time you're stressed, try a little third-person self-talk. Just imagine: "John can handle this. John's got this." It’s like your own personal pep talk!

`Humor: If anyone catches you, just tell them you're having a board meeting with your brain's best employees.

2. Application:

Like the psalmist, question your dejection and remind yourself to hope in God.

Realign your focus on God’s faithfulness.

B. Remembering God’s Faithfulness

1. Illustration:

• Pastored a small, struggling church with unpaid bills and broken air conditioners.

• Poured out my heart to the congregation about needing a miracle.

• Congregation spontaneously prayed at the altar.

• Next day, secretary called: mortgage paid, bills up to date, back pay checks ready, and funds for repairs.

• God answered our prayers miraculously.

2. Encouraging Statement:

Remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthens us in present struggles.

3. Application from Life’s Lessons:

Use your experiences of God’s faithfulness as reminders of His presence in tough times.

III. The Declaration of Trust

Psalm 42:9–11 CSB

I will say to God, my rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?” My adversaries taunt me, as if crushing my bones, while all day long they say to me, “Where is your God?” Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.

A. Honest Prayer

1. Illustration:

• Daughter Ashley and son-in-law Kamanu faced miscarriages and a failed pregnancy.

• Decided to adopt but faced delays and doubts.

• Social worker found the perfect child: an 11-year-old boy named Lyric with a troubled past.

• Celebrated Lyric’s first birthday, then baptized him.

• Lyric prayed for a sibling. Months later, Ashley became pregnant and is now doing well.

2. Application:

God welcomes our honest prayers. Be open with God about your feelings.

B. Reaffirming Hope

1. Illustration:

• Horatio Spafford lost his son to illness and later his four daughters in a shipwreck.

• Despite profound grief, he remained steadfast in faith.

• As his ship passed near where his daughters had drowned, he penned the hymn “It Is Well with My Soul.”

• Key lines:

“When peace like a river attendeth my way,

when sorrows like sea billows roll;

whatever my lot,

Thou hast taught me to say,

it is well, it is well with my soul.”

• Spafford’s unwavering trust in God amid profound grief is a powerful testament to faith and hope.

2. Encouraging Statement:

“Hope thou in God” reminds us to continually place our trust in Him.

3. Application as Days Go By:

Despite challenges that increase as they do, reaffirm your trust in God daily. Our hope is in our unchanging Savior.

IV. Practical Application: Your Church’s Mission

1. Illustration:

• Recently, your church made 100 pillowcase dresses for children in Jamaica.

• Now face the challenge of shipping the dresses and paying the taxes.

• Praying for the Lord to provide a way.

2. Encouraging Statement:

Trust God to open doors and provide necessary resources in your efforts to help others.

V. Supporting Scriptures and Encouragement

Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV): “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Explanation of Difficult Words:

• Careful: Means “anxious” or “worried.”

• Passeth: Means “surpasses” or “goes beyond.”

1. Application:

Bring your worries to God in prayer, trusting that His peace will guard your hearts.

2. Encouraging Statement:

God’s peace is available to us, providing calm and assurance.

Conclusion:

Encouraging Scripture:

Isaiah 46:4 (KJV): “And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”

Explanation of Difficult Words:

• Hoar hairs: Means “gray hairs” or “old age.”

Closing Illustration:

• Association’s mission focus: offering inexpensive, accessible mission experiences without needing a passport, including free lodging and kitchen access.

• Helping Bluewater Bible College in St. Thomas, where most Baptist pastors in the Caribbean earned their degrees.

• Took a mission team to finish tiling the cafeteria floor.

• Sponsored a young man named Dylan from the Men’s Center, who became a committed believer and hard worker.

• Dylan’s transformation is a testament to God’s grace, moving from a troubled past to being a “Follower of Jesus.”

Closing Prayer:

“Lord, we come to You today, longing for Your presence and pouring out our hearts.

Help us to place our hope in You, remembering Your faithfulness, and finding peace in Your steadfast love.

Strengthen our faith and fill us with Your peace as we trust in You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.”