Let’s face it: we know how difficult trials can be. We often lay wounded and troubled in the trenches of daily life. What’s worse is when trials test our trust in God. Where do we place our hope in these circumstances? Does my life reflect that God is my hope? Or, when trials hit, does my heart pour out to other things? Consider this Psalm of David:
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:5-8
This is a battle-cry. It is the bold profession of a man who, though trudging through trials and attacked by adversaries, still embraces divine hope. It is a self-sermon of sorts, a homily to remind the heart that our God of eternal salvation is a God that we can trust in our present reality. What did David do when this trial hit, and his faith was tested? He preached! Indeed, he preached the message of gospel hope to himself. “O my soul,” he cried (verse 5). O my soul, trust in God alone. O my soul, remember your hope is in Him. O my soul, turn to the Rock, the Refuge, the Redeemer.
Where does our hope come from? David answers, “God alone… my hope is from him.”
God in Christ is where we ought to turn when trials hit. After all, is there any other fountain of living water? Any other refuge of protection? God is not merely one among many hopes. He is our only hope! He “alone is [our] rock and salvation.”
Christians, if you ever doubt this, then consider the wonder of the cross: “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32). He is the One who, through shedding perfect blood on the cross, secured our eternal position in heaven. How much more would this mighty God provide for our temporal needs?
What about you? When sin seeps in when trials strike when temptations test when all else is lost, will you preach this message to yourself? Will you then share this divine hope with others?
“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him…”
Chris is a Christian, husband to Alyssa, works as Executive Director of The Gospel for OC and Writer and Editor at Blue Letter Bible. Chris and his wife Alyssa worship and serve at Reverence Bible Church in Mission Viejo, California. He is the author of The Two Fears: Tremble Before God Alone.